1549
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Three Kings Tell Herod of Christ's Birth is a 1549 ink by Augustin Hirschvogel, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows three kings in fancy robes, kneeling before a bearded man who looks nervous. Behind them, a crowd of people and animals fills the background. The kings hold gifts, and the bearded man gestures like he’s listening but uneasy. The scene feels busy, with lots of lines and movement. The text below is in German and hints this is about a biblical story—three kings visiting a ruler named Herod. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show the action, almost like a hurried drawing. If you like this style, check out etching to see how artists use acid and metal plates to make prints.
Augustin Hirschvogel (1503 – February 1553) was a German artist, mathematician, and cartographer known primarily for his etchings.
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