Presentation of Christ

Several studies exist for the "Presentation of Christ", showing variations in the form of the columns, the number and poses of the figures and a border in the form of an arch.
Forty days after the birth, Mary and Joseph take their firstborn son to Jerusalem, to be presented to God in the temple. Here Mary gives Jesus into the hands of Simeon, to whom the Holy Spirit has prophesied that he will not die until he has seen the Son of God. Behind her, Joseph mounts the steps to the temple, holding a basket with two turtle-doves, the purification offering of a poor woman. Simeon and the prophetess Anna standing behind him turn their gaze heavenwards to praise God. (Luke 2, 22–39) Observers follow proceedings from the shadow zones. The staggered arrangement of
the various groups creates spatial depth, and the torch held by the figure behind sheds light on the episode in the columned temple.

Ducke Astrid: Michel Corneille the Younger, Presentation of Christ, in: Ducke Astrid, Habersatter Thomas (Hrsg./Edi.): von | from 0 auf | to 100. Residenzgalerie Salzburg 1923-2023. Salzburg 2023, S./p. 128-129