The Presentation in the Temple 1785 - 1795

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo created this drawing, "The Presentation in the Temple," where the High Priest, adorned in a mitre, receives the infant Christ. The presentation, a ritual of purification and consecration, echoes through art history. Consider the motif of offering, seen in ancient Egyptian art, where gifts were presented to the gods, or even the Roman practice of presenting offerings at temples. What is retained and what evolves? The dog in the foreground is a symbol of fidelity, commonly seen in art as an emblem of loyalty and guardianship, which has ancient roots in both Eastern and Western art. Yet, here, its presence introduces an element of everyday life. Such scenes engage us deeply, stirring subconscious memories and emotions. Through time, the image of offering, of fidelity, continues its journey. The same scene is recreated, reformed, and re-contextualized through different cultures. It resurfaces, carrying layers of meaning, evolving with each representation.