The Adoration of the Magi is a 1619 Baroque painting by the Spanish artist Diego Velázquez now held in the Museo del Prado. It shows three kings presenting gifts to the Christ child: Melchior, who kneels in the foreground; Balthazar, who stands behind him wearing a red cape and a lace collar; and Caspar, who appears between the other two.[1] An unidentified young man who stands behind Balthazar is looking on. Kneeling near the Virgin's left shoulder is Saint Joseph. The size and format of the painting indicate that it was made for an altarpiece.[1]
| The Adoration of the Magi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Diego Velázquez |
| Year | 1619 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 204 cm × 126.5 cm (80 in × 49.8 in) |
| Location | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
Carl Justi praised the Adoration of the Magi as being "distinguished by great power of colouring and chiaroscuro."[2]
History
editThe earliest record of this painting is from about 1764, when it was in the Jesuit Novitiate of San Luis, Seville.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Carr et al. 2006, p. 136.
- ^ Justi, Carl (2016). Velázquez and his Times. Parkstone International. p. 53. ISBN 978-1780429816.
- Carr, D. W., Bray, X., & Velázquez, D. (2006). Velázquez. London: National Gallery. ISBN 9781857093032
External links
edit- Velázquez , exhibition catalog from The Metropolitan Museum of Art (fully available online as PDF), which contains material on Adoration of the Magi (see index)