Who painted Beschneidung Christi?

Beschneidung Christi was painted by Friedrich Sustris in 1568.

Where can I see Beschneidung Christi?

Beschneidung Christi is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Beschneidung Christi?

Beschneidung Christi is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Beschneidung Christi

Friedrich Sustris , 1568

Beschneidung Christi is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Friedrich Sustris. It dates from 1568 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Friedrich Sustris painted *Beschneidung Christi* in 1568, a work that illustrates the biblical episode of Jesus’ circumcision. Executed during the Mannerist era, the oil canvas is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a solemn ritual: a bearded figure in a red robe cradles the infant Jesus, while a bishop‑like dignitary in gold and red observes the ceremony. Two women in white veils stand near a table, and a young attendant watches, underscoring the communal and liturgical significance of the rite.

Technique & Style

Sustris employs pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the light to strike the bishop’s face and the baby, while the surrounding space recedes into deep shadow. The stark contrast between illuminated forms and darkened background creates a dramatic focus typical of Mannerist visual strategies.

History & Provenance

Trained in Venice and Florence under his father Lambert Sustris and the renowned Giorgio Vasari, Friedrich Sustris later moved to Germany, where he received commissions from patrons such as Hans Fugger. *Beschneidung Christi* entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings as part of the museum’s extensive collection of Northern Renaissance and Mannerist paintings.

Context

The painting reflects the cross‑cultural exchange of the mid‑16th century, merging Italian Mannerist aesthetics with the tastes of German patrons. Its subject matter aligns with Counter‑Reformation interests in emphasizing the humanity and sacramental life of Christ.

Artist & collection

Artist

Friedrich Sustris

Friedrich Sustris (c. 1540, in Padua – 1600, in Munich) was an Italian-Dutch painter, decorator and architect. He was a son of the artist Lambert Sustris, who worked in Italy. Sustris got his training from his father…