Circumcision c. 16th century

Curator: This woodcut, simply titled "Circumcision," is by Albrecht Altdorfer, who died in 1538. I'm struck by the intensity of the lines. Editor: Yes, there’s a stark drama in the composition, achieved with a limited tonal range. Look at how the radiating lines from the chandelier create a divine light. Curator: And how that light illuminates the materiality of the scene. The rough-hewn stone, the ornate robes—they speak to the socio-economic realities of the time. Editor: Precisely, the structural integrity of the composition enhances its spiritual weight. Each form contributes to the overall symbolic narrative. Curator: It’s a powerful piece, reminding us that art is not just image, but also a product of its time and the labor that went into it. Editor: Indeed. Altdorfer offers us an eternal moment, framed by the visual language of his era.