Candlemas - The Presentation of Jesus at The Temple

11C Menologion of Basil Presentation of Jesus at The Temple

The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple is an early biblical episode in the life of the infant Jesus, describing his presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem in order to officially induct him into Judaism, that is celebrated by many Western Christian Churches on the holiday of Candlemas. (Luke 2:23–40).

In some liturgical churches, the Compline on the Feast of the Presentation marks the end of the Epiphany season. In the Anglican Communion, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple is celebrated on February 2 or as close as possible  

According to the gospel, Mary & Joseph took the Infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after Christmas to complete Mary's ritual purification after childbirth & to perform the redemption of the firstborn son, in obedience to the Torah (Leviticus 12, Exodus 13:12–15, etc.). Luke explicitly says that Joseph & Mary take the option provided for poor people (those who could not afford a lamb; Leviticus 12:8), sacrificing "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." 

Upon bringing Jesus into the temple, they encountered Simeon. The Gospel records that Simeon had been promised that "he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (Luke 2:26). Simeon then uttered the prayer which prophesied the redemption of the world by Jesus: "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, & for glory to your people Israel". (Luke 2:29–32).

In art, early images concentrated on the moment of meeting with Simeon, typically at the entrance to the Temple. In the West, beginning in the 8C or 9C, a different depiction at an altar emerged, where Simeon eventually by the Late Middle Ages came to be shown wearing the elaborate vestments attributed to the Jewish High Priest, & conducting a liturgical ceremony surrounded by the family & the elderly prophetess Anna. In the West, Simeon is often already holding the infant, or the moment of handover is shown; in Eastern images Mary is more likely still to hold Jesus.

This parchment 1310-1320 image of The Presentation of Jesus at The Temple in a Missal originates from East Anglia, one of the earliest examples of a Missal of an English source. Sarum Missals were books produced by the Church during the Middle Ages for celebrating Mass throughout the year. National Library of Wales.

15C South German Depiction of The Presentation of Jesus at The Temple

1434 The Adoration of the Magi

Attributed to Fra Angelico (Italian painter, 1387-1455) Adoration of the Magi 1434

14-1500s The Adoration of the Magi

From the Workshop of Gerard David (Flemish painter, 1460-1523) Adoration of the Magi

In 1484, David registered in the Bruges painters' guild, & he subsequently held several official posts in that organization. Although In 1515 he also registered in the Antwerp painters' guild, David continued to live in Bruges until his death.

1460s-90s The Adoration of the Magi

Domenico Ghirlandaio (Italian artist, 1449–1494) The Adoration of the Magi

14-1500sThe Adoration of the Magi

Attributed to Gerard David (Flemish painter, 1460-1523) Adoration of the Magi

Two documented works, the Justice of Cambyses of 1498 & the Virgin among Virgins of 1509, form the linchpins of David's oeuvre, around which many other paintings with similar characteristics have been grouped.  Paintings here are attributed to Gerard David.

14-1500s The Adoration of the Magi

From the Workshop of Gerard David (Flemish painter, 1460-1523) Adoration of the Magi

In 1484, David registered in the Bruges painters' guild, & he subsequently held several official posts in that organization. Although In 1515 he also registered in the Antwerp painters' guild, David continued to live in Bruges until his death.

14-1500s The Adoration of the Magi

Attributed to Gerard David (Flemish painter, 1460-1523) Adoration of the Magi

Gerard David was probably born in Oudewater; exactly when he emigrated from this north Netherlandish town near Haarlem to the southern Netherlands is not known. He may have spent a period of time in Dieric Bouts's Leuven workshop, which continued under Bouts's sons, Aelbert and Dieric the Younger. 

14-1500s The Adoration of the Magi

Domenico Ghirlandaio (Italian artist, 1449–1494) The Adoration of the Magi

14-1500s The Adoration of the Magi

Attributed to Gerard David (Flemish painter, 1460-1523) Adoration of the Magi

Two documented works, the Justice of Cambyses of 1498 & the Virgin among Virgins of 1509, form the linchpins of David's oeuvre, around which many other paintings with similar characteristics have been grouped.  Paintings here are attributed to Gerard David.

1440s The Adoration of the Magi

Stefan Lochner (German artist, 1400-1451) Adoration of the Magi 1440s

1562 The Adoration of the Magi

1562 Jacopo Bassano (Italian painter, 1510-1592) The Adoration of the Magi

January 6 is observed as a Christain church festival called Epiphany in commemoration of the arrival of the Magi at the end of their long journey from the Far East, in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. In Western Christain churches, Epiphany portrays the 1st manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. In some Eastern Christain Churches, Epiphany celebrates baptism of Christ. Epiphany also means "a revealing scene or moment," & epiphany may also be seen as "an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being."

The biblical Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men, the Three Kings, & the Three Magi, were distinguished foreigners in the Gospel of Matthew. They are said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, & myrrh. They are figures in traditional accounts of the nativity celebrations of Christmas & are an important part of Christian tradition.

The Gospel of Matthew is the only one of the 5 gospels in The New Testament of the Bible to mention the Magi. Matthew 2:1–2 has it that they came "from the east" to worship the "king of the Jews." The gospel does not mention the number of Magi. Still, most western Christian denominations traditionally portray them to have been 3 in number, based on the biblical statement that they brought 3 gifts. 

In Eastern Christianity, especially the Syriac churches, the Magi often number 12. Their identification as kings in later Christian writings is probably linked to Isaiah 60:1–6, which refers to "kings [coming] to the brightness of your dawn" bearing "gold & frankincense." Further identification of the Magi with kings may be due to Psalm 72:11, "May all kings fall down before him."

12-1300s The Adoration of the Magi

Attributed to Giotto (Ambrogio Bondone) (Italian artist, 1267-1337) Adoration of the Magi Arena Chapel

 

1400s The Adoration of the Magi

Attributed to Gerard David (Flemish painter, 1460-1523) Adoration of the Magi

Gerard David was probably born in Oudewater; exactly when he emigrated from this north Netherlandish town near Haarlem to the southern Netherlands is not known. He may have spent a period of time in Dieric Bouts's Leuven workshop, which continued under Bouts's sons, Aelbert and Dieric the Younger. 

1504 The Adoration of the Magi

Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) Adoration of the Magi (detail) 1504

 

1400s The Adoration of the Magi

Rogier van der Weyden (Flemish painter, 1400-1464) Adoration of the Magi

 

1600s The Adoration of the Magi

Francisco de Zurbarán (Spanish painter, 1598–1664) Adoration of the Magi