Opdracht in de Tempel 1719 - 1727

This is Johann Christoph Steinberger's etching "Opdracht in de Tempel", or "Presentation in the Temple," made in the early 18th century. It depicts the presentation of Jesus in the Temple in accordance with Jewish law. The image is rich in religious symbolism. It speaks to the intersection of religious practice and social norms in the artist’s time. The temple setting, the figures of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus, all point to the cultural significance of religious institutions in shaping social life. Made in the Dutch Republic, a place marked by religious pluralism and burgeoning capitalism, this artwork is a testament to the complex interplay of faith, society, and commerce. It invites us to consider the ways in which religious narratives were mobilized to uphold or challenge existing social structures. To understand this work, we need to look at the social history of religion, the history of the book, and the cultural history of the Dutch Republic.