Subject: Incunabula
Period: 1493 (published)
Publication: Nuremberg Chronicle
Color: Black & White
Size:
12 x 16.9 inches
30.5 x 42.9 cm
In this 15th century woodcut, Jews are depicted murdering the child Simon of Trent. This "murder" is one of the sources of the medieval blood libel: the allegation that Jews used Christian children's blood to make matzoth (unleavened bread) during Passover. The Jews can be recognized by the circular patches sewn on their clothing and by the money bags they carry. This image is often erroneously called the circumcision, but it is actually the representation of this alleged event, which took place in Trento, Italy in 1475. This is an important image in the history of anti-Semitism and was used most recently in Nazi propaganda.
References:
Condition: A
