The Circumcision

The Circumcision was painted in 1523 for the church of San Giovanni Evangelista in Parma, one of Parmigianino's earliest major commissions. Working in the same church where Correggio was painting his celebrated dome fresco, the young Parmigianino distinguished himself with this accomplished altarpiece that already showed his independent artistic vision despite his youth. Characteristic of Parmigianino's approach, the work displays extreme elegance, elongated forms, serpentine grace, refined palette.

The multi-figure composition reveals Parmigianino's early command of complex narrative scenes, with figures arranged in a carefully balanced spatial setting. Warm, luminous colors and soft modeling reflect the influence of Correggio while hinting at the elongated elegance that would become Parmigianino's hallmark.