Besnijdenis van Christus c. 1650 - 1699

Lucio Bononi’s print captures the circumcision of Christ, a pivotal moment laden with symbolic weight. Here, the ritual is more than a religious obligation; it's a foreshadowing, a prefiguration of the Passion. Observe the tense anticipation etched on the faces of those gathered. This motif—the gathering of witnesses to a sacred act—reverberates through centuries of art. Consider the depositions and entombments where similar arrangements amplify the gravity of the central event. In Bononi’s work, the emotional charge is palpable. The Virgin's averted gaze speaks volumes. This motif echoes in countless depictions of mothers shielding their children from harm, be it physical or spiritual. This primal, protective instinct transcends mere representation, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The circumcision, once a symbol of covenant, evolves. Over time, the image embodies themes of sacrifice and redemption. This cyclical progression exemplifies how cultural memory shapes and reshapes symbols, imbuing them with ever-new layers of meaning across the ages.