Horlogekast met de presentatie van Christus in de tempel c. 1650 - 1676

This anonymous Dutch etching from the 17th century depicts the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. The central scene is surrounded by four floral arrangements, a common motif in Dutch art of the period. This technique, known as a *trompe-l'oeil*, is meant to fool the viewer into thinking the flowers are real. The scene itself is a popular subject in religious art and shows the young Jesus being presented at the Temple in Jerusalem. The etching, which is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, provides a glimpse into the religious beliefs and artistic tastes of the Dutch Golden Age.