The presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Painting.

Bible. N.T. Luke 2.25-38. The light of the Holy Spirit, emanating from the form of a dove, shines on Simeon's head. Mary and Joseph present the two turtledoves as a gift to the Temple on the double occasion of Mary's purification and Jesus's presentation. At the far left a woman dressed in red holds a black rod with four dots

In Luke 2.25-35, Simeon is described as an old, devout man "waiting for the consolation of Israel" (in later iconographic tradition he is identified with the high priest of the Temple) who is told by the Holy Spirit that he will see the saviour before he dies. In this scene he looks upon the infant herald of Christianity and utters 'Nunc dimittis'; now he can die. Death and birth and the relations of Christianity to Judaism resonate in this scene

1 painting : watercolour

Wellcome Collection 22182i