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Notes
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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.
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
The National Gallery, London
Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England
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The Presentation in the Temple The National Gallery, London -
Saints Jerome, Bernard (?), Giles and Benedict (?): Reverse of Right Hand Shutter The National Gallery, London -
Saints Augustine, Hubert, Ludger (?) and Gereon (?): Reverse of Left Hand Shutter The National Gallery, London -
The Conversion of Saint Hubert: Left Hand Shutter The National Gallery, London -
The Mass of Saint Hubert: Right Hand Shutter The National Gallery, London