Christ is circumcised in a crowded church. Engraving by A. Sadeler after J. Speeckaert.

Bible. N.T. Luke 2.21. The man in the foreground with his back to us may be holding a mirror to assist the mohel

The circumcision scene has a wide reaching symbolic resonance: it shows the first shedding of the blood of Christ, hence the beginning of the Passion; it is the moment Christ is named; furthermore it displays the Judaism through which Christianity must pass

[Belgium] : Paul.cs de la Houve excud

1 print : line engraving ; image 31.9 x 27.3 cm

Postquam consummati sunt dies octo ut circuncideritur puer vocatum. Joannes Speccard in. Paul.cs de la Houue excud. G. Sadler scalp.

Wellcome Collection 22027i