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The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

ca. 1435
Not on view
As recounted in the gospel of Luke (2:22–40), forty days after giving birth, Mary took the baby Jesus to the temple, where the aged Anna and Simeon prophesied his destiny. Giovanni di Paolo based the design of this picture on a work by Gentile da Fabriano that he saw in Florence, but he translated the naturalism of Gentile's art into his own intensely expressive style. The scene belongs to a series that formed the base (predella) of an altarpiece dating to the mid-1430s. One of the main panels of that altarpiece also belongs to The Met (88.3.111). For more information about this painting, including a reconstruction of the altarpiece, visit metmuseum.org.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Presentation of Christ in the Temple
  • Artist: Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia) (Italian, Siena 1398–1482 Siena)
  • Date: ca. 1435
  • Medium: Tempera and gold on wood
  • Dimensions: Overall 15 1/2 x 18 1/8 in. (39.4 x 46 cm); painted surface 15 1/4 x 17 1/4 in. (38.7 x 43.8 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of George Blumenthal, 1941
  • Object Number: 41.100.4
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

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Saints Matthew and Francis, Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia) Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground
Saints Matthew and Francis
Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia)
ca. 1435
Saint Ambrose, Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia) Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground
Saint Ambrose
Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia)
1465–70
Saint Catherine of Siena Beseeching Christ to Resuscitate Her Mother, Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia) Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
Saint Catherine of Siena Beseeching Christ to Resuscitate Her Mother
Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia)
ca. 1447–65
The Blessed Ambrogio Sansedoni (1220–1286), Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia) Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground
The Blessed Ambrogio Sansedoni (1220–1286)
Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia)
1447–65
The Exultation of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia) Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground
The Exultation of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino
Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia)
ca. 1450

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