GHIRLANDAIO, Domenico
(b. 1449, Firenze, d. 1494, Firenze)

Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple (detail)

1486-90
Fresco
Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence

Ghirlandaio was more successful in his depiction of the group of three young women on the left than in his depiction of the main events. In them he demonstrated various body postures and hand movements, and it is possible that here he was inspired by classical reliefs of depicting dancers. The women's classical clothing reflects the colours of Mary's garments and repeats the yellow, blue, red, and green in the garments worn by the old men on the right side.