Presentation at the Temple (Lorenzetti)

Blessed Feast of the Presentation! The feast is also called Candlemas, for the tradition of blessing the beeswax candles on this day.

Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s gigantic 1342 masterpiece depicting the presentation of the Lord at the temple rewards close study. Here’s the whole thing:

 

And details:

Jesus, held by Simeon, sucks on his fingers

Priest prepares the sacrifice.

Mary holds his swaddling cloth

Joshua

Moses