The Presentation in the Temple
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Byzantine, probably 15th century
Tempera on wood
H. 17 1/2 x 16 1/2 in. (44.5 x 41.9 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y. (31.67.8)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox church. It is celebrated on February 2, following the forty-day period of seclusion required of a woman by Jewish law after the birth of a male child (Lev. 12:18), after which she could re-enter the temple. If it happened that the child was their first-born, the couple was to dedicate the child to God or offer a redeeming sacrifice (Ex. 13). In the Christian tradition and its artistic representation, Jesus' encounter in the Temple of Jerusalem with Symeon and the prophetess Anna and their recognition of his divinity predominate (Luke 2:2240).
Five figures are depicted in the forefront of a setting intended to elicit the interior of the Temple. In the center, the Virgin has just handed the Christ child to Symeon. She is gracious, but perhaps she shows a hint of reserve, for her arms are still extended in her son's direction. On the right, Symeon, who has waited to a ripe old age to see the Messiah, eagerly holds the divine child in his covered hands. The child, in an entirely human way, turns away from this stranger, toward his mother. Behind Mary, Anna points to her scroll, which proclaims, "This Child Created Heaven and Earth." Joseph, Mary's husband, follows Anna; he stolidly bears the required offering, two doves.
Although a gold background, typical of Byzantine icons, is still employed, many details of setting intrude: to the left one notices a pedimented entry and, to the right, a green pulpit. The two are joined by a dado against which are depicted a green enclosure and golden gate surrounding the altar-like table and the baldachin, which towers above. The interior of the Temple actually looks
like the interior of a church. This emphasis in decor parallels the interest in the expression of human emotions through gesture and gaze. Both are qualities of late Byzantine art.
Classroom Hints:
Notice: figures, action, setting, patterns, color
Discuss: the narrative, depth, scale, composition
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The Presentation in the Temple