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The Presentation in the Temple

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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A priest, Simeon, receives the infant Christ from the Virgin Mary, ready to perform the Jewish rite of circumcision. Two women cup turtle doves in their hands, the traditional offering for the ritual of purification, made after a woman had given birth (Luke 2: 21–24). Simeon recognised Christ’s divinity on seeing him, saying ‘Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation’ (Luke 2: 29–30). The embroidery on his cope shows the Roman Emperor Augustus having a vision of the Virgin and Child – an experience which made him recognise that their spiritual power was greater than his. This painting, along with three other images now in the Alte Pinakothek, Munich, once formed part of the central panel of an altarpiece made for the church of Saint Ursula in Cologne.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

The Presentation in the Temple

Date

probably about 1460-75

Medium

Oil on oak

Measurements

H 83.8 x W 108.6 cm

Accession number

NG706

Acquisition method

Presented by Queen Victoria at the Prince Consort's wish, 1863

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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