Legends of the Madonna, as represented in the fine artsForming the third series of Sacred and legendary art . t seems to me, that it is distinctly the acknowledge-ment of Christ by Simeon,—that is, Christ received by theGentiles,—which is intended to be placed before us in thevery early pictures of the Presentation, or the Nunc Dimittis,as it is always styled in Greek art. The appearance of an at-tendant, bearing the two turtle doves, shows it to be also theso-called Purification of the Virgin. In this antique formalGreek version we have the Presentation exactly according tothe pattern describ
Legends of the Madonna, as represented in the fine artsForming the third series of Sacred and legendary art . t seems to me, that it is distinctly the acknowledge-ment of Christ by Simeon,—that is, Christ received by theGentiles,—which is intended to be placed before us in thevery early pictures of the Presentation, or the Nunc Dimittis,as it is always styled in Greek art. The appearance of an at-tendant, bearing the two turtle doves, shows it to be also theso-called Purification of the Virgin. In this antique formalGreek version we have the Presentation exactly according tothe pattern described by Didron. The great gold censer ishere ; the cupola, at top; Joseph carrying the two youngpigeons, and Anna behind Simeon. (116.) In a celebrated composition by Fra Bartolomeo, of which Igive a sketch (115.), there is the same disposition of the person-ages, but an additional female figure. This is not Anna, themother of the Virgin (as I have heard it said), but probablythe woman Salome, who had always attended on the Virginever since the Nativity at Bethlehem. THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. 245. 116 Byzantine. The subject is treated with exquisite simplicity by Francia;we have just the same personages as in the rude Greekmodel, but disposed with consummate grace. Still, to repre-sent the Child as completely undraped has been considered asa solecism. He ought to stretch out his hands to his motherand to look as if he understood the portentous words whichforetold his destiny. Sometimes the imagination is assistedby the choice of the accessories; thus Fra Bartolomeo hasgiven us, in the background of his group, Moses holdingthe broken table of the old law; and Francia represents inthe same manner the sacrifice of Abraham; for thus didMary bring her Son as an offering. In many picturesSimeon raises his eyes to heaven in gratitude; but thosepainters who wished to express the presence of the Divinity 246 LEGENDS OF THE MADONNA. BoissereeGal. in the person of Christ, made Sim
Size: 1355px × 1845px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade18, booksubjectmaryblessedvirginsaint
