Marie Ellenrieder (1791-1863) was chiefly a painter of portraits and historical subjects. In 1813, Ellenrieder attended the Munich Academy where she was instructed by Johann Peter von Langer (1756-1824). In 1824, Ellenrieder visited Rome where she made the acquaintance of Johann Friedrich Overbeck (1789-1869) whose influence – along with that of other members of the Nazarene movement – can be discerned throughout the body of her later work.

St Luke's gospel narrates the story of The Holy Family's pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover. Upon their return they discover that Jesus has been left behind. He is subsequently found in the Temple in discussion with the the elders who were amazed at his precocious erudition. When admonished by Mary, Jesus replied 'Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?'

In this treatment of the story, the young Christ is seated on a stone bench in a vaulted church-like interior, facing an elderly bearded man who holds a large book on his lap; he raises his left hand in discussion with Christ, who points at text on an unfurled scroll on his lap; a second rabbi stands behind, reading from an open book.