1472
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Adoration of the Magi is a 1472 ink by Martin Schongauer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a crowded scene inside a dimly lit stable. In the center, a woman holds a baby while an older man kneels beside them, both looking up at three robed visitors carrying gifts. To the right, a group of winged figures hovers, some holding strange objects like a staff with a star. The background has a rough archway and a faint landscape outside, while animals peek from the shadows. Notice how the artist used fine lines and shading to create depth—even the folds in the robes look three-dimensional. The star above the visitors is a key detail, often tied to stories of guidance. Want to see more like this? Look up engraving.
Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
