The Circumcision
1594
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Netherlandish 16th Century
This artist carved scenes with fine lines, mostly religious and mythological ones.
See the richer artist page1594
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Circumcision is a 1594 ink by Netherlandish 16th Century, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a crowded, dimly lit room with a group of people gathered around a bed. A woman in a simple dress stands near the center, holding a baby wrapped in cloth. An older man with a long beard kneels beside the bed, touching the baby’s foot. Others watch closely—some standing, some leaning in—while a few hold candles or objects. The room has tall arches and a window in the back, letting in faint light. The baby is the focus, lying on a low bed with a small table and a pitcher nearby. The scene feels tense but quiet, with everyone’s attention on the moment. The artist used fine lines to show every fold of clothing and wrinkle on faces, making it feel almost three-dimensional. This is an example of engraving, a technique where artists etch lines into metal plates to create prints.
This artist carved scenes with fine lines, mostly religious and mythological ones.
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