Artwork
Roundel with the Adoration of the Magi
Roundel with the Adoration of the Magi is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This circular painting, known as a roundel, presents the biblical narrative of the Adoration of the Magi.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work is a religious painting depicting the Adoration of the Magi, a biblical narrative centered on the Christ Child.
The work is a religious painting depicting the Adoration of the Magi, a biblical narrative centered on the Christ Child. Created around 1500, the roundel illustrates the moment the three kings present their gifts to the infant Jesus. As a piece of religious art, the subject serves to honor the recognition of Christ's divinity by the Gentile world.
The composition focuses on the interaction between the figures and the holy child, embodying the theological significance of the event within the Christian tradition.
History & Provenance
Created around 1500, this roundel depicting the Adoration of the Magi is attributed to a follower of Hans Memling rather than the master himself. The work was produced as a religious painting during the turn of the sixteenth century. It eventually entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains housed.
No specific details regarding its original commission, early ownership history, or the circumstances of its acquisition by the museum are provided in the available records.
The Roundel with the Adoration of the Magi is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located. Dated to 1500, the painting is catalogued within the museum's holdings and is classified as a religious work depicting the Adoration of the Magi, with the Christ Child among its identified subjects.
No specific inventory or accession number is recorded in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented beyond its presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Overview
This circular painting, known as a roundel, presents the biblical narrative of the Adoration of the Magi. The composition centers on the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, surrounded by figures who have come to pay homage. A decorative border frames the scene, drawing the viewer's attention to the sacred event.
The artwork utilizes a specific arrangement of forms and a distinct color scheme to convey its devotional subject.
Technique & Style
The painting's round format contains a detailed arrangement of figures and architectural elements. A predominantly muted color scheme is enlivened by prominent gold accents, notably on the Virgin's halo and the Magi's offerings. Specific details, such as the soldier's armor and the angel's wings, enrich the visual narrative.
Columns and a distant building in the background establish a setting, while a decorative border completes the composition.
Artist & collection
