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Adoración de los Reyes Magos by José Mateos

José Mateos · 1694-01-01

José Mateos's Adoración de los Reyes Magos (1698) is a vibrant oil painting now at the Museo del Prado. It caused a scandal at the time for its opulent style. The work depicts the Adoration of the Magi, with the Virgin Mary in a prominent pink robe and the Christ Child surrounded by detailed figures. Notice the gleaming body armor and the golden cups, details that shocked contemporary viewers accustomed to more austere religious art. Critics found the richness and the lively cherubs too worldly for the sacred subject, leading to the artist's rejection from the Salon. This painting is a testament to Mateos's bold artistic choices in late 17th-century Spain.

Details

Look at the Virgin Mary's pink robe.
Look at the Virgin Mary's pink robe.
His cherubs seemed too worldly.
His cherubs seemed too worldly.
Transcript

This vibrant scene caused quite a stir. Look at the Virgin Mary's pink robe. The Christ Child wears a bright halo. He was painted in 1698. His cherubs seemed too worldly. His body armor gleams like a mirror. Critics found the opulence scandalous. His painter Mateos was rejected.