TINTORETTO
(b. 1518, Venezia, d. 1594, Venezia)

The Presentation of the Virgin (detail)

1553-56
Oil on canvas
Madonna dell'Orto, Venice

Mary ascends the stairs that glitter with gold to the high priest, whose curious attire is a mixture of a pope's and a doge's. The Jewish world is made up of dejected old men. Another two young girls wait to follow Mary's example. The image is full of surprising enigmas.