Giandomenico Tiepolo “Bishop Bust” and “Presentation of Christ in the Temple” Ambrosiana Gallery in Milan in Italy

Presentation of Christ in the Temple

Giambattista Tiepolo (March 5, 1696 - March 27, 1770) “Presentation of Jesus in the Temple”

Painting - Oil on Canvas (39 x 52 cm) 1755

Tiepolo represented Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the Temple. Jesus is presented to Simeon, who welcomes and blesses the Child and his parents, sharing the prophecy concerning their Child with them.

“And his father and mother were astonished at what was said about him”.

Presentation of Christ in the Temple The astonishment of Jesus' parents following this statement by Simeon is not reflected in Tiepolo's work, which presents a scene where parents come to have their restless baby blessed who is shaking his feet and who must be held carefully so that he does not fall out of his mother's arms!

Mary's azure blue coat highlights the beauty and youthfulness of her face, as well as the tiny pink body of her baby, which contrasts with the seriousness of the wrinkled faces of Joseph, Simeon, and the man in red who keeps the Grand Register.

Tiepolo painted Simeon as an elderly man richly dressed with signs of his charge, the big cloak and the mitre, and white gloves; behind him, a young boy holds his stick topped by an angel.

Presentation of Christ in the Temple Tiepolo represented Simeon, the Jewish priest, in the same way as his “portrait of a bishop”, which is also on display at the Ambrosiana, presumably to show the filial links between Judaism and Christianity.

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:

“See, this Child is there for the fall and the rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign exposed to contradiction — and yourself will pierce your soul! — so that reasoning may be revealed to many hearts”
Bible, Gospel of Saint Luke (Lk 2, 33-35)

The Gospel of Luke also states that Simeon was warned that he would not die until he had seen Christ (Lk 2:26).

Giambattista Tiepolo (March 5, 1696 - March 27, 1770) “Bishop's bust” Ambrosiana Gallery in Milan in Italy

Painting - Oil on Canvas (43 x 35 cm) 1750 — 1755

Giambattista Tiepolo, Bishop's bust, Ambrosiana Gallery in Milan in Italy

Giambattista Tiepolo, Bishop's bust The name of this bishop painted by Giambattista Tiepolo is not known, but if we compare this painting with the other work of Tiepolo exhibited at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, the “Presentation of Jesus in the Temple”, we will notice the numerous similarities with the priest Saint Simeon who is represented there.

It is the portrait of a thoughtful man painted in warm, gentle colours, who, under the richness of his garments, perfectly symbolizes the weight of the responsibilities of the priesthood.

The bishop's mantle, stole, and richly carved crozier are beautifully rendered with the various saints who adorn them.

The knotty hand that holds the Holy Scriptures may, at first glance, make us feel uncomfortable because of its spectral paleness; in fact, the bishop is wearing gloves.

Finally, the effects of light on the face and the clothes are superb and give relief and presence to this magnificent portrait.

Presentation of Christ in the Temple