Episodes from the Life of Christ: Presentation in the Temple

probably 18th or 19th century

Northern Italian 18th or 19th Century

The image depicts a group of seven people in a circular composition, with the figures depicted from head to toe within the frame. In the center, a baby sits atop a pedestal, encircled by a halo, with both arms outstretched. The baby's features include simple eyes and a small mouth, and its hair is close-cut, also accompanied by a halo. To the left, a kneeling woman with long, flowing hair, adorned with a halo as well, is dressed in a robe and is gently reaching toward the child. Surrounding them are five men standing upright, each wearing ornate robes and distinct hats typical of historical attire. One man, wearing a turban-like hat and beard, stands behind the pedestal, while others don various styles of hats and robes, each with unique facial features, including beards and mustaches. They stand in a semi-circle surrounding the central focus of the scene. The floor beneath the figures is depicted with a simple grid pattern of tiles, while the background is dark, emphasizing the figures in the foreground.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    nielloed silver

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.)
    engraved composition: 4 cm (1 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1961.9.156


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Collection of Leopoldo Cicognara [1767-1834], Venice;[1] Enrico Conti, Milan, before 1917(?); Trivulzio collection, Milan, after 1917; [2] (Alessandro Contini Bonacossi, 1878-1955, Rome and Florence);[3] purchased 26 June 1935 by Samuel H. Kress (1863-1955), New York; gift 27 September 1950 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[4] gift 1961 to NGA.
[1] Laura Aldovini, _I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo,_Milan, 2021: 239.
[2] Aldovini, I Nielli Trivulzio, 239.
[3] The bill of sale included sculptures, maiolicas, furniture, antique velvets, paintings, and enamels, for a total of one hundred objects. Copy in NGA curatorial files. See also The Kress Collection Digital Archive, (https://kress.nga.gov/Detail/acquisitions/ACQ143).

Associated Names

Bibliography

2021

  • Aldovini, Laura. I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo. Milan, 2021: 83, 94, 159, 236, 239-242, no. 70, fig. 49, pl. XVII.

Wikidata ID

Q63854492

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