Lavinia Fontana
The Presentation of Mary in the Temple
Lavinia Fontana
Bologna 1552 – Rome 1614
In collaboration with Prospero Fontana (1512-1597)
The Presentation of Mary in the Temple
About 1575-1580
Oil on canvas
91.5 x 74.5 cm
Purchase, through the generosity of Fondation Courtois, inv. 2025.137
Western Art
Discovered in 2019, this painting is the oldest by a woman in the Museum’s European collection. An early work by Lavinia Fontana, considered Europe’s first professional female painter, it depicts Joachim and Anna presenting their daughter Mary to the temple in gratitude for their deliverance from childlessness.
The artist based her composition on a fresco by her father and teacher, Prospero, who here may have executed the figures of Joachim and Anna. Pentimenti (visible changes to the composition) suggest that this painting was likely a training opportunity for Lavinia, carried out under Prospero’s supervision.
