Artwork
Adoration of the Magi
Adoration of the Magi is an oil painting by Michał Stachowicz. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Mary holds the child, emphasizing maternal protection, while the Magi offer gold, frankincense and myrrh, symbols of kingship, divinity and sacrifice.
The painting shows the moment of worship when the infant Christ is presented with gifts by three regal figures identified as the Biblical Magi, traditionally named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar. Mary holds the child, emphasizing maternal protection, while the Magi offer gold, frankincense and myrrh, symbols of kingship, divinity and sacrifice. This iconography conveys the theological theme of Epiphany, illustrating the recognition of Christ’s messianic identity by the Gentile world.
The work belongs to the religious genre and was created by Michał Stachowicz for the National Museum in Warsaw, where it remains on display.
Technique & Style
Michał Stachowicz's Adoration of the Magi is executed in oil paint on canvas. The work measures 41 cm in height and 30 cm in width. As a religious painting, the formal composition centers on the depiction of the Christ Child, the Virgin Mary, and the Biblical Magi, specifically identified as Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar.
The artist employs the medium to render the traditional scene of the Magi presenting gifts to the infant Jesus.
History & Provenance
The Adoration of the Magi is an oil painting on canvas measuring 41 cm by 30 cm, executed by Polish artist Michał Stachowicz. The work belongs to the religious genre and portrays the Christ Child, the Virgin Mary, and the Magi Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar presenting their gifts. It is classified as a painting within the broader category of religious art.
The piece is presently held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, where it is displayed as part of the museum's permanent holdings. No earlier ownership records or commission details are documented in the available sources.
The painting Adoration of the Magi by Michał Stachowicz is housed in the National Museum in Warsaw, where it is listed as part of the museum's collection. Its dimensions are 41 cm in height and 30 cm in width, recorded in the catalog entry. The work is classified as a religious painting executed in oil on canvas.
No further details regarding an accession number are provided in the available documentation, and the sources do not record any documented exhibition history for the piece.
Overview
Michał Stachowicz, a Polish artist working in the Romantic tradition, completed Adoration of the Magi around 1806. This oil painting depicts a significant religious event, showcasing the Biblical Magi presenting their offerings to the infant Christ. The work is currently housed in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, representing a key example of Stachowicz's output.
Context
Michał Stachowicz was a Polish painter and graphic artist active during the early 19th century, a period marked by the rise of Romanticism across Europe. His artistic practice often engaged with religious and historical subjects, reflecting the era's interest in dramatic narratives and expressive forms. Adoration of the Magi exemplifies his engagement with these prevailing stylistic and thematic trends.
Artist & collection
Artist
Michał Stachowicz (14 August 1768, in Kraków – 26 March 1825, in Kraków) was a Polish painter and graphic artist in the Romantic style.
