Artwork

Panel of an Altarpiece with Circumcision of Christ, on verso is Resurrection of Christ

Panel of an Altarpiece with Circumcision of Christ, on verso is Resurrection of Christ is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This small wooden panel is a fragment of a larger altarpiece, featuring two distinct scenes on its front and back.

About this work

Overview

This small wooden panel is a fragment of a larger altarpiece, featuring two distinct scenes on its front and back. The artwork depicts a biblical event on each side, executed by the same artist.

Subject & Meaning

The front shows the Circumcision of Christ, with the infant Jesus being circumcised by a high priest in a church setting, surrounded by onlookers. The back depicts the Resurrection of Christ, where Jesus emerges from his tomb, surrounded by sleeping soldiers.

Technique & Style

The panel is characterized by its detailed and serene depiction of religious scenes, suggesting a style typical of early Netherlandish painting. The artist has included small narrative scenes in the corners of the front panel, adding to the work's complexity.