Artwork
The Adoration of the Magi

The Adoration of the Magi is an oil painting. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Men in rich robes and hats gather around a woman holding her child, one kneeling to offer a golden cup. A castle and trees rise under a clear sky, a small dog lies near, and figures wait in a doorway. Deep reds, greens, and golds stand out against softer blues and browns. Painted around 1520.
Subject & Meaning
Created in 1520 by the Workshop of Gerard David, this oil painting on panel illustrates the biblical episode of the Adoration of the Magi.
Created in 1520 by the Workshop of Gerard David, this oil painting on panel illustrates the biblical episode of the Adoration of the Magi. The composition features the Christ Child and the Virgin Mary as central figures, accompanied by Saint Joseph. The scene includes the visiting Magi, depicted as men paying homage, along with a dog.
As a work of religious art, the piece visually narrates the arrival of the wise men to honor the newborn Jesus, a standard iconographic theme in Christian tradition representing the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles. The specific inclusion of domestic elements like the dog alongside the holy family grounds the sacred event in a tangible setting, while the gathering of figures emphasizes the act of worship central to the subject matter.
Technique & Style
Created in 1520, this religious painting is executed in oil paint on a panel support. The work, attributed to the Workshop of Gerard David, measures 69.2 cm in height and 72.1 cm in width. As a panel painting, the medium combines the durability of wood with the rich tonal capabilities of oil pigments, characteristic of Northern Renaissance workshop production.
The composition depicts the Adoration of the Magi, featuring the Christ Child, the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and a dog, rendered with the formal qualities expected of the period's devotional art. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where its physical dimensions and material construction remain consistent with early 16th-century Flemish painting practices.
History & Provenance
Created in 1520, this oil painting on panel is attributed to the Workshop of Gerard David. The work depicts the religious subject of the Adoration of the Magi, featuring figures such as the Christ Child, Mary, Joseph, and a dog. Measuring 69.2 by 72.1 centimeters, the piece was produced during the early sixteenth century.
It currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is maintained as part of their holdings of religious art. No specific details regarding the original commissioner or the intermediate ownership chain prior to its arrival at the museum are provided in the available records, though its inception is firmly dated to the year 1520.
The Adoration of the Magi, a painting attributed to the Workshop of Gerard David and dated to 1520, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, executed in oil paint on panel, measures 69.2 cm in height and 72.1 cm in width. While the sources confirm its current location and physical dimensions within the museum's holdings, they do not provide a specific inventory or accession number, nor do they detail any past or future exhibition history for this specific object.
Overview
The Adoration of the Magi is an oil painting that captures a significant moment from the Christian narrative. It depicts a distinguished group of visitors presenting offerings to an infant held by a woman, a scene frequently rendered in art history. The work utilizes oil paint, allowing for a depth of color and detail that characterizes the composition. This painting captures a moment of reverence and presentation.
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