Circumcision of Christ

The circumcision of Jesus Christ, which occurred a week after his birth, is cited in the Gospel of St. Matthew (2:21).

A circuncisão de Jesus Cristo, ocorrida uma semana após o nascimento, vem citada no Evangelho de São Mateus (2,21).

Meister der Heiligen Sippe der Ältere (16th century)-‘Circumcision of Christ’-oil on panel    München-Alte Pinakothek

Anonymous (10th century)-‘Circumcision of Our Lord’-miniature    Cità del Vaticano-Biblioteca Apostolica (Menologio of Basil II- Ms Byzantine- gr1613, fol. 287)

Jacopo Robusti aka Tintoretto (1518-1594)-‘Circumcision of Christ’-oil on canvas-1587    Venezia-Scuola Grande di San Rocco-sala terrena

Maestro della Predella (14th century)-‘Circumcision of Christ’-(1380-1385)    Oxford (University)-Ashmolean Museum

Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo (1481-1559)-‘Circumcision of Christ’-oil on panel-1519    Paris-Musée du Louvre

Circumcision of Christ

According to the Jewish worship the removal of the foreskin was considered as a symbol of divine covenant (Genesis, 17:10-13). There was controversy among the early Christians (St. Paul in his Letter to the Philippians 3:3).

No culto judaico consideravam a remoção do prepúcio como símbolo de aliança divina (Genesis, XVII, 10-13). Houve controvérsia entre os primeiros cristãos (São Paulo in Carta aos Filipenses III, 3).

Michael Pacher (1430-1498)-'Circumcision of Christ'-oil on panel   Sankt Wolfgang (Austria)-Parish Kirche

Giulio Pippi or Romano (1499-1546)-'Circumcision of Christ'-oil on wood transfered to canvas   Paris-Musée du Louvre

Maître de la vie de la Vierge (15th century)-'Circumcision of Christ'-oil on panel   Paris-Musée du Louvre

Master de St Severin (ca 1485-1515)-'Circumcision of Christ'-oil on oakwood   Paris-Musée du Louvre

Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664)-'Circumcision of Christ'-oil on canvas   Grenoble-Musée dees Beaux-Arts

Circumcision of Christ (Circuncisão de Cristo)

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of males (excision or peritomy), skin fold that covers the glans penis. According to WHO 30% of men are circumcised for religious reasons, of which 30% are Jews and 70% Muslims. The oldest biblical quotation belongs to the Book of Genesis (17, 10-11). In the case of Jesus Christ, it is mentioned by St. Luke (2, 21).


Entende-se por circuncisão a cirurgia destinada a remover o prepúcio (exérese ou peritomia), prega cutânea que cobre a glande do pénis. De acordo com a OMS 30% dos homens são circundados por motivos religiosos, dos quais 30% são Judeus e 70% Muçulmanos. A mais antiga citação bíblica pertence ao Livro do Génesis (17, 10-11). No caso de Jesus Cristo menciona-a São Lucas (2, 21).

Unknown (11th century)-'Circumcision of Christ'-miniature Città del Vaticano-Biblioteca Apostolica (Menologion of Basil, II, folio 287)

Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)-'Circumcision of Christ´-oil on wood-(1494-1497) Dresden-Gemäldegalerie

Domenico Tintoretto (1560-1635)-'Circumcision of Christ'-oil on canvas Venezia-Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Fra Angelico (13487-1455)-'Circumcision of Christ'-tempera on wood-ca 1450 Firenze-Museo di San Marco (Armadio degli argenti)

Unknown-'Circumcision of Christ'-oil on wood Ellhofen (Germany)-Kirche zum Heiligen Kreuz, Sankt Peter und Genovefa (Church of the Holy Cross)