Adoration of the Magi (Velázquez)

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
ArtistDiego Velázquez
Year1619
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions204 cm × 126.5 cm (80 in × 49.8 in)
LocationMuseo del Prado, Madrid

Carl Justi praised Adoration of the Magi as being "distinguished by great power of colouring and chiaroscuro."[2]

History

The earliest record of this painting is from about 1764, when it was in the Jesuit Novitiate of San Luis, Seville.[1]

References
  1. Carr et al. 2006, p. 136.
  2. Justi, Carl (2016). Velázquez and his Times. Parkstone International. p. 53. ISBN 1780429819.
  • Carr, D. W., Bray, X., & Velázquez, D. (2006). Velázquez. London: National Gallery. ISBN 9781857093032
  • Velázquez , exhibition catalog from The Metropolitan Museum of Art (fully available online as PDF), which contains material on Adoration of the Magi (see index)
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