The Circumcision in the Stable

1654

Jesus was circumcised and given his name eight days after his birth. In this etching Rembrandt displays how well-informed he is. While in the western pictorial tradition this event is generally set in a temple, Rembrandt followed earlier texts and located the scene in the stable where Jesus was born. Noteworthy is the sharp transition from light to shade at the right in the depiction.