It is very rare to find the representation of the face of Jesus at the age of twelve among the doctors in the temple of Jerusalem. Dürer painted it during his second stay in Venice (we are sure about it since the picture is signed and dated 1506 on a piece of paper that comes out from the book a man on the left is holding), probably the work hides a remarkable symbolism.

Christ’s face looks like that of a nice boy, with long hair and a healthy complexion. The author chose to put a really ugly character right on his side (and on his same level). The man has a long chin, a huge mouth and wrinkled skin; this is probably an echo to Leonardo’s words “ugliness highlights beauty when it is beside it”.

In the composition, incredibly concentrate and with characters designed without a real perspective, there is only one face, among the seven that are represented, that calls our attention and our eyes, and that is the face of Jesus. This is another way to underline the exceptionality and uniqueness of that boy’s presence.

When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. (Psalm 27,8)