The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (1550-55) by Jacopo Robusti Tintoretto (1518-94) Galleria Accademia, Venice
Tintoretto together with his fellow artists Titian and Veronese helped make Venice in the sixteenth-century a splendid centre of Renaissance Art. His mastery of large scale biblical narratives meant that patrons turned to him in order to furnish the interiors of churches, palaces and other public buildings. The Presentation of Christ in the Temple was commissioned by a lay society or confraternity to decorate the group’s chapel in the church now known as the Gesuiti. The story depicts the event narrated in Luke’s Gospel 2:22-39. We learn how in accordance with Jewish law, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple to be consecrated to the Lord. At the same time Mary makes an act of ‘purification’ by presenting a pair of turtle doves or pigeons. Tintoretto imagines the temple as an ornate and richly decorated structure in the classical style. In contrast to traditional interpretations of this story the artist depicts the scene crowded with the figures of parents, and servants of the temple going about their business. We recognise Mary carrying Jesus in the centre of the scene. The brilliant scarlet of her cloak makes her figure stand out among the more muted costumes of the other visitors. Tintoretto uses the space that stretches between Mary holding Christ at the right and Simeon the high priest on the left opposite them to dramatically intensify this meeting. As Luke tells us God has disclosed to the devout Simeon that he will not die until he has seen the Messiah. Mary and Simeon lean towards each other across the horizontal length of the altar. The lighted candle stands between the two protagonists as a symbol of Christ’s coming into the world as the Messiah, the giver of life.
Art Guide Resource
- Download the 2017 Art Guide (PDF)
- Watch/Listen to the complete 2017 Art Guide video
Order your Columban Art Calendar
SHOP ONLINE: Buy now
or
Contact us:
Phone: (03) 9375 9475
Fax: (03) 9379 6040
Email: calendar@columban.org.au
Postal Address: PO Box 752 Niddrie Victoria 3042 Australia
