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The painter and etcher Pietro Testa, who worked in Rome, created this work for the Church of Santa Croce dei Lucchesi, i.e. the church of the community of natives of Lucca, where he himself was born.
The scene of the young Mary's presentation in the temple, where her parents sent her to be brought up , was a favourite theme with Italian artists from the 15th century. Testa makes the event majestic and full of excited mystery. Reflected light flits across the figures and creates a sense of disturbance.