Simeon bows to the infant Jesus Christ. Engraving by A. Mochetti after N. Poussin (?).

Joseph climbs the stairs carrying a cage, which would contain the two turtledoves that would serve as gifts to the Temple following Mary's purification and preceding Jesus's presentation

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 print : line engraving ; platemark 22.6 x 13.2 cm

Maria si sottopone alla legge della purificazione e il redentore e riconosciuto da Simeone e da Anna ... Lettering continues: "Ai Giusti e spirituali e permesso il penetrare i divini misteri che non e lecito penetrare ai carnali. Niccolo Poussin inv. Alessandro Mochetti inc."

The print, like others from this series by Mochetti, claims to be after Poussin; however, no record can be found of any designs approximating what we see here

Wellcome Collection 22176i