1442
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
The Adoration of the Magi is a 1442 unspecified by Giovanni di Paolo, a Early Renaissance work, depicting Siena, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
You see three kings kneeling in front of baby Jesus, while a crowd of richly dressed people and animals fills the background. Giovanni di Paolo painted this in Siena, Italy, where artists loved bright colors and gold leaf. The kings’ robes shimmer, and every tiny detail—from the horses’ bridles to the courtiers’ hats—shows off the wealth of the time. If you like this, look up other paintings of the subject: *italy, siena*.
According to the Gospel of Matthew, three Magi, guided by a star, found the newborn Christ and laid gifts before him. Artists throughout the 15th century elaborated considerably upon this biblical account, devoting particular attention to the Magi’s entourage, which gave them an opportunity to depict the splendor of contemporary aristocratic life. Here, the Magi solemnly honor the divine child in the Virgin’s arms, while their bustling retinue of courtiers and animals provides an exuberant visual diversion. Di Paolo was one of the leading painters in 15th-century Siena, noted both for his…
Read the full account in the museum source.
Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia was an Italian painter, working primarily in Siena, becoming a prolific painter and illustrator of manuscripts, including Dante's texts.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
