Artwork
The Adoration of the Magi
The Adoration of the Magi is an oil painting. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed circa 1500, this work is an oil painting on a wooden panel support.
Executed circa 1500, this work is an oil painting on a wooden panel support. The piece measures 74 cm in height and 65.1 cm in width. Stylistically, the composition depicts the religious subject of the Adoration of the Magi, featuring the Christ Child, the Virgin Mary, saints, and the visiting kings.
The work is identified as a copy after the style of Hugo van der Goes, reflecting the formal qualities associated with that master's approach to religious narrative. The application of oil paint on panel was a standard medium for Netherlandish religious art of this period, allowing for the detailed rendering of figures and devotional themes characteristic of the genre.
History & Provenance
The Adoration of the Magi is an oil-on-panel painting dated 1500, classified as a religious work. It is a copy after Hugo van der Goes, reflecting the style of the early-16th-century Netherlandish school. The composition depicts the Magi's adoration of the infant Christ, accompanied by the Virgin and saintly figures.
The work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession number 1975.1.116. Details of its earlier ownership, the circumstances of its acquisition, and its exhibition history are not documented in the available sources.
Overview
This oil painting, titled The Adoration of the Magi, depicts a solemn gathering of five figures within a dimly lit interior. A woman in red cradles an infant, observed by a kneeling elder and three standing men. The composition emphasizes a quiet, contemplative atmosphere rather than overt celebration, with subtle details suggesting a significant exchange. A distant landscape is visible through an opening in the stone wall, adding depth to the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork portrays the biblical narrative of the Adoration of the Magi, where wise men visit the infant Jesus. The kneeling figure and the three standing men, distinguished by their rich garments, one in fur, another holding a golden cup, and a third in a patterned robe, represent the Magi. A stack of coins and a small golden bowl on a nearby table further symbolize the precious gifts presented during this significant encounter, underscoring the spiritual and material offerings.
Artist & collection
