ALLEGORY
ANDRÉ DURAND Twenty-First Century Paintings
Source
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
The Bible, King James Version
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/
Luke:2-34
Simeon the Righteous is the “_just and devout_” man of Jerusalem who, according to Luke 2:25-35, met the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as they entered the Temple to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses on the fortieth day from Jesus’ birth. On taking Jesus into his arms he uttered the prayer Nunc dimittis which is still used liturgically in many Christian churches, and gave a prophecy alluding to the crucifixion. This meeting is commemorated on 2nd February as Candlemas or more formally, the Presentation of the Lord or the Purification of the Virgin.