The Circumcision

The central image depicts the circumcision of the infant Jesus, a rite observed in Jewish tradition and recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Surrounding figures—family members, attendants, and celestial beings—convey both the solemnity of the ritual and its theological significance as the moment of the child’s covenantal entry into the Jewish people.

Executed in woodcut, the prints employ stark contrasts of black and white, with fine line work that renders facial expressions and drapery details. The composition recalls the intricate engraving tradition of Albrecht Dürer, using dense hatching and dynamic arrangement of figures to guide the viewer’s eye through the narrative sequence.

The series was produced in 1959, identified in the museum’s collection under accession numbers 99.8‑15. It has remained in the institution’s holdings since acquisition, with no recorded changes in ownership. The prints were likely created for devotional or educational purposes, reflecting mid‑20th‑century interest in biblical illustration.

These woodcuts belong to a broader tradition of visual storytelling that follows the life of Christ from annunciation to early childhood. By integrating biblical episodes with everyday scenes—such as Joseph’s carpentry and Mary’s spinning—the series situates sacred events within the ordinary rhythms of family life.

While not as widely reproduced as earlier Renaissance prints, the series exemplifies a modern continuation of the woodcut medium for religious narrative. Its clear visual language and adherence to historic techniques make it a reference point for contemporary artists exploring print‑based biblical illustration.