Who painted The adoration of the magi?

The adoration of the magi was painted by Hendrick ter Brugghen in 1619-01-01.

Where can I see The adoration of the magi?

The adoration of the magi is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is The adoration of the magi?

The adoration of the magi is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of The adoration of the magi?

Museum-quality prints of The adoration of the magi are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The adoration of the magi

Hendrick ter Brugghen , 1619

The adoration of the magi is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Hendrick ter Brugghen. It dates from 1619 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

It is housed in the Rijksmuseum, where it forms part of the museum’s collection of early Dutch religious paintings.

The painting portrays the biblical moment in which the three Magi kneel before the infant Christ and the Virgin Mary, offering gifts that signify recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. Ter Brugghen’s composition emphasizes the intimate exchange, with the holy family positioned centrally and the visitors arranged in a semi‑circular gesture of reverence. The work belongs to the religious genre and was created in 1619 using oil on canvas, reflecting the Utrecht school’s interest in Counter‑Reformation themes of divine manifestation.

It is housed in the Rijksmuseum, where it forms part of the museum’s collection of early Dutch religious paintings.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, a support typical of early‑17th‑century Dutch art. According to the documentary record, the piece was created in Utrecht in 1619 using oil paint applied to a canvas support. Its execution reflects the material practices of the period, though specific handling details and current condition are not documented in the available sources.

The composition belongs to the religious genre, depicting the adoration of the Magi, and is catalogued as a painting within the artist’s oeuvre.

History & Provenance

Hendrick ter Brugghen created the oil-on-canvas painting The Adoration of the Magi in Utrecht in 1619. The work measures 132.5 cm in height and 160.5 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

The painting depicts the biblical scene of the Adoration of the Magi, featuring the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child as central figures within a religious composition.

The Adoration of the Magi by Hendrick ter Brugghen, painted in 1619, is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work, executed in oil on canvas and measuring 132.5 by 160.5, was produced in Utrecht and entered the museum's holdings, where it remains located.

No exhibition history or accession number is documented in the available sources.

Overview

Hendrick ter Brugghen, a Dutch artist, completed The Adoration of the Magi in 1619. This oil painting depicts a pivotal moment from the Christian Gospels, where the three wise men, or Magi, offer gifts to the infant Jesus. The work exemplifies the early Baroque style that emerged in Italy and was adapted by artists in the Netherlands, particularly those associated with the Utrecht school. It is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum.