Presentation of the Child Jesus to Mary and Joseph 1805

This 1805 wood relief by Johann Georg Schwanthaler depicts the biblical scene of the Presentation of the Child Jesus to Mary and Joseph. The piece showcases the artist's skill in carving the scene in intricate detail, with each figure rendered with realistic anatomical accuracy. The composition, featuring an architectural setting, draws the viewer's eye to the central figures, symbolizing the solemnity of the event. This relief, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, exemplifies the artist's talent in capturing religious narratives within a visually compelling framework.