The Adoration of the Kings [recto]

About this work

This image shows a busy scene with lots of figures packed into a single frame. At the center, a group kneels around a man lying on the ground, while a woman in fancy robes stands nearby holding a cup. Around them, armed men and other figures watch or gesture—some look worried, others point or hold objects. The background has architectural details like columns and a throne, and the whole scene is drawn in deep blacks and grays with careful shading. The way the artist used lines to create shadows and texture is called *cross-hatching*—tiny parallel lines layered to build up dark areas. This technique makes the figures look solid and dramatic. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists use it to add depth to their work.