19. Presentation of Christ at the Temple Giotto di Bondone (1266-1337)

Description of Giotto di Bondone’s painting The Meeting of the Lord (1320 1325).

Giotto, an Italian artist, reflected biblical subjects in his paintings. "The Meeting of the Lord" is one of Di Bondone’s representative works of art. The picture was painted by the artist between 1320 and 1325. The image is executed with a high degree of realism. Giotto was the first artist to introduce realism into his art. The plot of the image is easy for the audience to read. Catchy and understandable, becomes the character of characters and their role. Composition is multi-figure image, but the main plot is clearly visible. The main plot is accompanied by two minor episodes. The picture is painted in warm yellow, orange and purple colors.

Under the Mosaic law, righteous Jewish families were obligated to bring their firstborn children to the temple for a rite of dedication to God. This tradition was carried out by all after the fortieth day from the birth of the child.

In the picture to the left, Mary is handing over her baby reverently to Semion. Mary is overwhelmed with anxiety and apprehension. Her worries are related to her thoughts about the fate of her child. Behind Our Lady stands Joseph holding an offering to the temple in the form of two white doves. To the right of the altar, Semion is depicted receiving the child from the mother. The elder is on the threshold of the New Testament, which cannot be crossed.

He tells Mary the prediction of a weapon that will wound her soul. The words uttered by the elder are repeated in the evening prayers, and the righteous Semion himself became known as the Receiver of God. "Receiver of God" means "one who has received Christ the Savior in his arms. The child Jesus stretches out his childlike hand to his mother, as if he wants her to take him in her arms. Behind the old man stands Anna the Prophetess holding a long scroll. You can see the concern on her face. She informs Mary and Joseph of the need to save Jesus. Our Lady, Joseph with the baby in her arms will have to flee to Egypt.