Artwork
The Twelve-Year-Old Jesus Teaching in the Temple
The Twelve-Year-Old Jesus Teaching in the Temple is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Ludovico Mazzolino. It dates from 1524 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
This 1524 painting by Ludovico Mazzolino portrays a pivotal moment from Jesus' youth, set within a grand architectural backdrop. The scene captures Jesus engaging with a group of scholars in a temple, emphasizing his early wisdom and authority.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates the biblical episode known as 'Jesus among the doctors,' where the twelve-year-old Jesus astonishes learned men with his wisdom during a visit to the Temple in Jerusalem. The depiction highlights Jesus' precocious spiritual authority.
Technique & Style
Executed in paint, the work showcases vivid, bright colors (notably reds, oranges, and blues) and detailed rendering of textures, such as the carvings and statues in the temple's background. The style aligns with the transitional phase towards early Baroque in Italian art.
History & Provenance
Created in 1524 by Ludovico Mazzolino, a Renaissance painter active in Ferrara and Bologna, the painting is now part of the collection at the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
