| 3. Presentazione di Maria al Tempio |
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| THE CHAPELS [Internet Explorer 6 only] | |||
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ArchiteCturE 
The community of Mongrando was the commissioner of the edifice. The construction works, frequently interrupted, underwent several interventions. In 1659 the works had already begun, although the chapel was completed only at the beginning of the 18th century. Externally the ground plan is rectangular, with a small apses to the rear end. At the beginning at the 18th century, after the damage to the façade, a portico was added, sustained by three arches, supporting two cross vaults and closed at one side. The edifice appears unelaborate, embellished by local stonework realized by native stonemasons, decorating the columns, arches and walls. The interior, surmounted by a barrel vault, presents two levels, divided by a balustrade and connected by a small staircase, designed as a kind of pedestal to give prominence to the figure of the High Priest. The semicircular window which appears on the prospect has been temporarily sealed, resulting in the alteration of the original light streaming in the interior.
 INTERNAL SCENE  The sculptural group was realized by Pietro Giuseppe Auregio and by his brother Carlo Francesco. It is the first work of the renowned artist at the Sacred Mount, and the only one to which his brother collaborated. The artists set to their task at the beginning of the 18th century. The composition of the scene is ingenious: beyond the balustrade stand the High Priest of the Temple and other prominent characters, portrayed with sombre looks and rich garments. The inferior part depicts St. Joachim, St. Anne, the Madonna mounting the stairs, a young mother holding her baby and other personages. The atmosphere seems humbler, the looks are innocent and the clothes unadorned. The contrast between the two parts of the group is resolved in the imaginary axis connecting the Madonna with the High Priest. The young virgin seems eagerly and yet somehow fearfully mounting the stairs towards the old stately priest, who welcomes her with a gesture. The statues are finely modeled and the depiction of the garments is remarkable. Rather unusually for such a context the triumph of the angels was not realized.OTHER PHOTOS Click on the image to see larger details.
       
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