Paolo Veronese: Christ among the Doctors in the Temple (1560)

(Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain)

A masterpiece from the Italian artist Paolo Veronese (1528-1588). Subject of this work is Luke 2:41-52 of the New Testament. According to the story the 12 year old Christ was taken by Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover (Pesach). Mary and Joseph lost their son but found him three days later in the Temple were he was in a discussion with the elders who were amazed by the wisdom of Christ. Veronese shows the discussion with Christ on a platform which raises him above the doctors - emphasizing his theological superiority. On the right is a bearded man standing with a black habit of a Knight of the Holy Sepulcher and holding a pilgrim´s staff. This man is perhaps the one who commissioned this painting to commemorate a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. Painting from 1560.