The Presentation in the Temple: Oblong Print

This version of The Presentation in the Temple is one of Rembrandt’s earliest large-scale, multi-figure biblical etchings in an oblong format, and is a precursor to the celebrated masterpieces Christ healing the Sick (‘The Hundred Guilder Print’) (B. 74; New Holl. 239), Christ presented to the People (‘Ecce Homo’) (lot 28), and Christ crucified between the two Thieves ('The Three Crosses') (lot 29). Mosaic law required that every Jewish first-born son be consecrated to God in the temple, accompanied by the sacrifice of two doves. Mary is depicted kneeling in the foreground, in front of Simeon, who holds the Christ child tenderly in his arms. A devout Jew, Simeon had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Rembrandt depicts the moment of this longed-for meeting: 'Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel' (The Canticle of Simeon, Luke 2:28-32). The aged prophetess Anna stands behind Mary, one hand holding a walking stick and the other raised in a gesture of benediction. The figures in the foreground are illuminated by a ray of light, with the exception of Joseph, who stands to the right of Simeon, clasping the requisite sacrificial offering. His body is lit, but his head remains in shadow, alluding to the passing away of the Old Covenant, represented by the sacrifice of animals, and it’s replacement with the New, achieved by the future death and resurrection of Christ. The turbaned figure behind Joseph and the standing figures with the dog in the foreground at left are eclipsed by the shadows, and may represent Simeon’s warning that 'This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed' (Luke 2:34).