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Triptych with the Adoration of the Magi

Unknown

1424

unspecified

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Early Renaissance Renaissance Renaissance Religious Salzburg

Dominant colour

Triptych with the Adoration of the Magi is a 1424 unspecified by Unknown, a Early Renaissance work, depicting Salzburg, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1424 · Early Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see a small, three-panel altarpiece with gold backgrounds. The middle panel shows Mary, baby Jesus, and Saint Anne, while a man and woman kneel below them. The side panels depict the Three Kings bringing gifts to Jesus. This painting was made for private prayer, not a church. The donors—the couple at the bottom—likely paid for it to show their faith. The gold leaf and bright colors were expensive, signaling their wealth. To see more works like this, look up austria, salzburg.

The story of this work

Overview

This small winged altarpiece, called a triptych, was undoubtedly made for private use. The donor and his wife are shown in the lower central scene kneeling before the Virgin, her mother Saint Anne, and the Christ Child. Above is the Epiphany with the Three Kings presenting gifts to a tightly swaddled Christ.

Did you know?

On the outer wings moving clockwise are Saints Peter and Paul, Saints Christopher and Erasmus, Saint Barbara and a holy nun, and Saints George and James Major.

Read the full account in the museum source.