Virgin of Sorrows: The Presentation in the Temple; one of nine surrounding compartments from the Virgin of Sorrows, now separated 1520 - 1582

Giorgio Ghisi created this engraving, Virgin of Sorrows: The Presentation in the Temple, during the vibrant, and often turbulent, Italian Renaissance. The piece depicts the biblical scene of Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the Temple. The image, part of a larger series on the Virgin’s sorrows, reflects the period’s emphasis on religious themes, but it also subtly reveals the social fabric of its time. Mary is central, yet her sorrow hints at the complex role of women, who were often revered for their piety but constrained by societal expectations. The temple setting, rendered with architectural precision, speaks to the era’s rediscovery of classical forms and its application in religious contexts. The act of presentation itself, a ritual of purification and dedication, underscores themes of identity and belonging. Ghisi’s work invites us to reflect on the intertwined nature of religious devotion, social identity, and the perennial human experience of sorrow and hope.