The MMFA acquires The Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple by Lavinia Fontana
Lavinia Fontana (1552-1614), in collaboration with Prospero Fontana (1512-1597), The Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple, about 1575-1580, oil on canvas, 91.5 x 74.5 cm. MMFA, purchase through the generosity of the Courtois Foundation . Photo Claudio Giusti, Florence
Thanks to the generosity of the Courtois Foundation, the MMFA recently acquired The Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple (about 1575-1580), a work by Lavinia Fontana (1552-1614) created in collaboration with Prospero Fontana (1512-1597).
Discovered in 2019, this painting is a rare large-scale early work by the famous Mannerist, considered to be the first professional female painter in Europe. It is also the oldest in the Museum’s European collection by a known woman artist. It is also the first work of the Italian painter to enter a Canadian public collection.
The Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple is currently on display in the Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion.
