Who painted Beschneidung Christi?

Beschneidung Christi was painted by Ludovico Mazzolino in 1526.

Where can I see Beschneidung Christi?

Beschneidung Christi is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Beschneidung Christi?

Beschneidung Christi is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Beschneidung Christi

Ludovico Mazzolino , 1526

Beschneidung Christi is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Ludovico Mazzolino. It dates from 1526 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Ludovico Mazzolino’s *Beschneidung Christi* (1526) portrays the biblical circumcision of the infant Jesus. Executed in the early Baroque period, the oil painting is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s collection. The composition gathers a group of figures within an architecturally elaborate interior, focusing attention on the central act of the rite.

Subject & Meaning

The work visualises the Jewish ceremony of Jesus’ circumcision, a moment that underscores his adherence to Mosaic law. Central to the scene is the infant held by a figure, surrounded by witnesses who represent both religious authority and familial devotion, highlighting the theological significance of the event within Christian narrative.

Technique & Style

Mazzolino employs chiaroscuro to model forms, allowing the illuminated central group to emerge from a darker background. The figures are rendered in Renaissance attire, with detailed drapery and expressive gestures. Architectural elements such as columns and arches frame the scene, creating spatial depth characteristic of early Baroque experimentation.

History & Provenance

Created in Ferrara in 1526, the painting entered the holdings of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Mazzolino reflects his activity in Ferrara and Bologna, linking the work to the regional artistic currents of early sixteenth‑century Italy.

Artist & collection

Artist

Ludovico Mazzolino

Ludovico Mazzolino (1480 – c. 1528) - also known as Mazzolini da Ferrara, Lodovico Ferraresa, and Il Ferrarese - was an Italian Renaissance painter active in Ferrara and Bologna.