2-720-287 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God', 19th century. Biblical scene, from Luke 2: 28: 'Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word'. The Prophecy of Simeon during the presentation of the infant Christ at the temple: Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple 40 days after his birth. Simeon blesses them and says to Mary, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel..." The columns behind are similar to those in St Peter's Basilica in Rome. Engraving after 'Presentation at the Temple', a painting of 1715 by Louis de Boullogne the younger, in the Louvre Museum, Paris.