Giovanni Camillo Sagrestani (1660–1731) – attributed... Lot n° 28

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple 94 x 132 cm oil on canvas The execution of this canvas presents style and writing characters that suggest similarities with the works of Giovanni Camillo Sagrestani (Firenze 1660 – Firenze 1731), especially in the physiognomies such as the shape of the noses that are found in many other figures. The artist illustrates the presentation of Jesus in the temple and the purification of Mary, forty days after giving birth, according to the Jewish rite. Maria, recognisable by her usual blue mantle and the red dress, has just passed the Child to Simeon. Just behind the priest, a young light carrier observes the scene curiously. On the right, a young woman in a lively yellow and red dress introduces us to the scene, pointing at it with a finger. Perhaps she is the prophetess Anna, who together with Simeon, recognised in Christ the figure of the Messiah. Next to this figure is another young woman who holds a white dove wrapped in a cloth, which should be offered as a sacrifice.