
Frostispiece of Pacheco, El Arte de la pintura (1649), Seville, Simon Faxardo, impressor de libros, a la Cerrajeria
Pacheco states that the circumcision of the Christ-child was made by Virgin Mary. The author afterward declares that the way of painting this scene should be represented from that moment onwards, although he recognises the way of painting it might be seen as new.
“And, thus, I say that the holiest Virgin fulfilled the Law, perfectly, as her blessed Son, and did not leave the cave until she went to purify the Jerusalem Temple and that she circumcised the Child Jesus by her hand and gave him she put the name in the same place, there being no other witnesses than her husband St. Joseph and the angels of heaven, That the Virgin did this office is the constant opinion of many St.s and authors, […] I have many papers studied at my request, from very learned men, which I excuse, for not being long. The Holy Land affirms that in the cave there are three places designated with indulgences: the Birth, Circumcision, and Adoration of the Kings. Finally, having to conform the painting to the sure opinion of such serious St.s and authors, it seems to me more accurate to signify the circumcision already done and finished for greater decency and decorum, in this form: The Blessed Virgin on a low seat, with his tight pink tunic and blue mantle, as he is usually painted, with a serious and tearful countenance, but with beauty, hushing between his arms and breasts the sacred circumcised Child who, with pouts and tears, manifests his pain, half unwrapped, but not without a shirt, for there is no need to be all naked, and on a white cloth stained with his precious blood; in front, San Joseph on his knees, with admiration and feeling; Next to the Virgin, a plate, with a bloody knife and many angels and seraphs who attend around it, on their knees and in the air, with reverence and compassion, and the sweetest name of Jesus in radiance and glory on high. If the way of depicting this mystery seems new, and the writing and preaching of it by so many learned men do not seem so new, surely it can be carried out from now on, being so by reason, the sentiments of the St.s and Sacred Scripture.”
“Y, asi, digo que la santisima Virgen cumplió la Ley, perfectisimamente, como su bendito Hijo, y no salió de la cueva hasta que se fue a purificar al Templo de Jerusalén, y que ella misma circuncidó al Niño Jesús por su mano y le puso el nombre en el mesmo lugar, no habiendo más testigos que su esposo San Josef y los ángeles del cielo, Que la Virgen hiciese este oficio es opinión constante de muchos santos y autores,[…] y en su favor tengo muchos papeles estudiados a instancia mia, de hombres muy eruditos, que escuso, por no ser largo. La Tierra Santa afirman, que en la cueva hay tres lugares señalados con indulgencias: el del Nacimiento, Circuncisión y Adoración de los Reyes. Finalmente, habiendo de conformar la pintura con la segura opinión de tan graves santos y autores, me parece más acertado pensamiento sinificar la circuncición ya hecha y acabada para mayor decencia y decoro, en esta forma: La Santísima Virgen en un asiento baxo, con su túnica rosada ceñida y manto azul, como se pinta de ordinario, con semblante grave y lloroso, pero con hermosura, acallando entre sus brazos y pechos al sagrado Niño circuncidado que, con pucheros y lágrimas, manifiesta su dolor, medio desenvuelto, pero no sin camisita, pues no hay necesidad de estar todo desnudo, y sobre un paño blanco manchado de su sangre preciosa; delante, San Josef de rodillas, con admiración y sentimiento; junto a la Virgen, un plato, con el cuchillo ensangrentado y muchos ángeles y serafines que asisten alrcdedor, de rudillas y en el aire, con reverencia y compasión, y el nombre dulcísimo de Jesús en un resplandor y gloria en lo alto. Si pareciere nuevo el modo de pintar este misterio, y no lo es el escribirlo y predicarlo tantos y tan doctos varones, seguramente, se podrá executar de aquí adelante, siendo tan conforme a razón, el sentimiento de los santos y Escritura Sagrada.”
Pacheco 1990, 611, n. 53; Pacheco 1990, 612, n. 57;