Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
| Support Type: | Wood Panel |
| Paint Type: | Tempera |
| Current Location: | Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy (Room A5) |
Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (1342) is a tempera on panel painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti held in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. This is one of Lorenzetti's most celebrated works and oe of the only few ones that he has signed and officially dated. The scene depicts an episode from the New Testament where Jesus as an infant was brought to the temple by Mary, who is showed in the artwork in her blue cloak and red dress standing and willingly presenting infant Jesus to Simeon, while the prophetess Anna stands beside him and recognises him. Joseph stands alone in the corner, while a priest is shown at the altar in the background. Interestingly, Jesus is seen to be depicted as a genuinely innocent baby, sucking his finger which creates a picture of a normal baby , different from his known almighty being. Lorenzetti gives considerable attention to the gothic architectural detail, imagining the Temple as a medieval church complete with columns, starry vaults, painted decoration and windows. The converging lines of the polychrome marble floor enhances the illusion of depth which reflects the artist's pioneering interest in spatial perspective. The panel was originally commissioned for the altar of San Crescenzio in the transept of Siena Cathedral, as part of a small group of altarpiece dedicated to the city's patron saints. It was an altarpiece that was originally a triptych.
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