Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, The

Painting

Purdue University Galleries

Name/Title

Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, The

Entry/Object ID

2005.02.094

Description

Tempera painting on slightly curved wood panel once painted blue. The border of the panel features floral designs in black, white, pink, blue, red, and gold leaf with a black Cyrillic caption on the bottom a bit chipped. The main image features a white bearded priest in a white robe with red and gold embroidery and gold leaf turban and halo on stepped pedestal taking the hand of a young Mary, clothed in red and blue robes with a small gold leaf halo. Mary's mother looks on in a green dress with white head covering and gold leaf halo and her father kneels next to her in a brown robe and blue garment with gold leaf halo. Four other kneeling people are present in the image.

Type of Painting

Panel

Artwork Details

Medium

Tempera

Collection

Betsy Scheuring Icon Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2005.02

Source or Donor

Betsy Scheuring

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Gift of Betsy Scheuring

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1900

Place

* Untyped Place

Moscow, Russia

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Icon

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Symbol, Religious

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Religious Objects

Nomenclature Class

Ceremonial Objects

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Dimensions

Height

7 in

Width

5-3/4 in

Depth

1 in

Exhibition

Spirit Made Tangible: The Scheuring Icon Collection (2006)

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

Compared to 2005.02.087, this version of the Presentation of the Virgin seems plain and somewhat naïve. Within the temple interior, the child Mary is welcomed graciously by the priest Zacharias as her parents Anna and Joachim gaze at her proudly, raising their hands in prayer. A few young virgins with lighted candles and another female complete the circle of onlookers. The principal figures all have gold haloes with a zigzag border. The Virgin’s dark blue cloak and central placement emphasize her visually.