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

2005.02.087

Description

Tempera on curved wooden panel. Bordered in red, blue teal, and brown with a yellow Cyrillic title in the top middle. The central image shows a white bearded man on the right with gold with a pointed mitre crown, green robe, and red and gold tunic. He gestures to a small figure on the left with a rounded crown and red and gold dress: the young Virgin. She is backed by four other small figures followed by her parents in red and blue robes and gold halos. In the background on the left is a cluster of angels in the sky at various angles, the presentation takes place in front of pink marble columns with domed ceiling rooms in the background.

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

Time Period

18th Century

Place

* Untyped Place

Matiora Region, Russia

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Location

Back of icon

Transcription

NY or N4, variety of stickers with numbers, brief typed title in English

Dimensions

Height

13-7/8 in

Width

11-1/2 in

Exhibitions

Themes of Christian Art Drawn From Local Sources (2021)

Spirit Made Tangible: The Scheuring Icon Collection (2006)

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

In the foreground of the magnificent temple interior in Jerusalem, we see the little Virgin Mary presented to the priest Zacharias by her parents, Joachim and Anna, draped in red and blue garments. Their daughter wears a richly embroidered cloak and is accompanied by a few other, plainly dressed virgins, one of whom holds a candle. The priest, standing on a polychrome tiered platform, wears a long tunic, an embroidered vestment, and a miter as he salutes the Virgin and holds a gold scepter in one hand. An acolyte stands behind Zacharias, and from the center a flight of steps leads up to a vaulted sanctuary with an altar; this passage is flanked by large pink marble columns. Another room is visible in the upper right, and outside the temple on the left, both an earthly crowd and a heavenly host assemble to honor the Virgin. The rich coloring, especially reds, pinks, and gold, and the grand architectural illusion make this a splendid religious image.