Title of Art: Presentation at the Temple
Artist: Ambrogio Lorenzetti
Art Form: Painting
Date of Composition: 1382
Event: Presentation of Christ
Subjects: Mary, Mother of God; Anna
Ritual Pose/Object: scroll, star
Exhibit Institution: Le Gallerie degli Uffizi (The Uffizi)
Exhibit Location: Florence, Italy
VM Image #: 0048
Photographer: Shala Graham
Date of Photograph: January 7, 2023
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Presentation of Jesus at the temple. Mary is holding a white blanket and Joseph is on the left. Simeon is holding Jesus, and Anna the prophetess is holding a scroll and pointing at Christ. This panel was signed by the artist and was painted for the Chapel of San Crescenzio in Siena.
This piece vividly depicts Luke 2:22-39, when Mary and Joseph went to the temple to present Jesus and for Mary to be purified, per the Jewish purification rites required by the Law. Mary is wearing her standard red cloak and blue mantle, and on her shoulder is the golden, eight-pointed star that represents eternity. Mary still holds the white blanket as she just passed off her son to Simeon and Anna. Mary and Joseph gaze contemplatively as they listen to Simeon and Anna. Anna the prophetess holds her scroll that starts with the phrase et haec ipsa hora, “at that moment.” It cites Luke 2:38, and Anna points to Jesus, signaling that she recognizes him as the Messiah.