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The process of construction of the new Szombathely Cathedral, designed by Melchior Hefele, was long protracted, and the furnishing and fresco decoration of the church could begin only in the last decade of the century.
Even though the written programme to the ceiling frescoes was ready as early as 1791. Maulbertsch had the possibility of sketching his ideas only in 1794. After circuitous preparations, the contract for this enormous work was signed on 30 May 1795. This delay proved fatal - the work was never to be executed during Maulbertsch's lifetime Just before work commenced, on 8 August 1796, the master died in Vienna at the age of 73.
Bishop Szily was deeply shocked by the news of his death. In a letter sent from Szombathely to the painter's father-in-law, Jakob Schmutzer, he emphasized: ... der Todt dieses so edlen Mannes ist mir nicht nur wegen neiner Kirche, sondern auch und zwar besonders darum, weil ich ihn wahrhaft schätzte, fühlbar... (the death of this so noble man touches me not only because of my church, but also, and primarily, because I really esteemed him). The Bishop then bought from the painter's estate the already executed Szombathely, sketches, and on the basis of these the best pupil of Maulbertsch, Joseph Winterhalter was contracted to paint the ceiling frescoes. In the sketch of the dome fresco at the crossing of the nave and transept, after a long deliberation and many modifications. Maulbertsch had decided to represent the presentation of Mary in the Jerusalem Temple, in a rich architectonic surround, with a dramatic scene of intermingled groups. The skilful brushwork and expressive colours of this late work match the quality of the best sketches of the master's youth.
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