Adoration of the Magi

About this work

You see three wise men kneeling before baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in a crumbling stable. The kings wear rich robes and offer gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This version feels looser and brighter than most. Experts aren’t sure how much Titian actually painted—his workshop made several copies. The Cleveland painting is in better shape than the one in Madrid, but both might be studio work. To see how Titian’s own hand looked, check out *chiaroscuro*—the way he used deep shadows and bright light to shape figures.