VERONESE, Paolo
(b. 1528, Verona, d. 1588, Venezia)

Presentation in the Temple

1560
Oil on canvas, 490 x 190 cm
San Sebastiano, Venice

This scene adorns the outside wings of the carved organ of San Sebastiano. Parts of the figurative composition largely repeat an earlier picture on the same subject in Dresden. Here, the structure is much more clearly articulated and harmonious and enclosed by a large round arch. A typical feature is the introduction of various subsidiary figures required less for the event itself than for formal reasons. Also, Veronese delighted in using painterly means to explore certain movements or the qualities of the colour and appearance of expensive materials.