The artwork, titled “Circumcision” and created by Filippo Lippi between 1460 and 1465, is a religious painting from the Early Renaissance. Measuring 188 x 164 cm, it portrays a vital religious event and is currently housed in a private collection.
The scene depicted in the artwork is highly contemplative and solemn, centering around the religious ritual of circumcision. The composition is meticulously structured, featuring a central figure holding the infant, suggesting a ceremonial significance. Flanking the central figures are other participants, perhaps clergymen, garbed in elaborate vestments that reflect the period’s ecclesiastical attire. Two kneeling figures in the foreground, clothed in black robes, are depicted in a posture of prayer, their expressions suggestive of reverence and solemnity. The background architecture, with its intricate detailing and perspective, further emphasizes the sacredness of the depicted event. The use of light and shadow, as well as the rich color palette, highlights Lippi’s adeptness in creating depth and conveying the gravity of this religious moment.