The Adoration of the Magi

Pietro Perugino (school of) 1450 - 1523

Summary

This panel depicts the Adoration of the Magi in an elaborate Italian landscape setting. Mary sits in front of the stable where Jesus has been born, smiling at the tiny Infant on her lap. The Magi, accompanied by a group of rich courtiers in fashionable Italian clothing, bring gifts to the new baby. Joseph has already been presented with the first gift, a pot of gold (for kingship), by Caspar, the oldest king, who kisses the Infant's foot, receiving a blessing in return. The other kings, Balthazar and Melchior, wait for their turn to present Him with their casks of frankincense (for divinity) and myrrh (an embalming ointment, foretelling death). This is one of a set of four predella panels, which would originally have been inserted in the lower section, or predella, of the frame of a large altarpiece. Each panel presents a theme for contemplation. Predellas were frequently produced by studio assistants. This may be the work of a follower of Perugino.

Display Label

The Adoration of the Magi early 1500s Follower of Pietro Perugino (1446-7 - 1523) Tempera on panel Mary is sitting outside the stable where Jesus was born. The three Magi (wise men) bring gifts to the new baby because they have been told he is the King of the Jews. They are accompanied by richly dressed courtiers. Often the wise men are seen as coming from the East but here their clothes are all contemporary Italian. The gifts the Magi bring foretell the baby’s future. The oldest, Caspar, kneels, offering gold for kingship, Balthazar stands behind with frankincense for divinity and the youngest, Melchior gives myrrh, an embalming ointment which thus foretells death. The men are often portayed as kings, symbolising the yielding of the earthly to the spiritual. Henry Whitehead bequest, through the Art Fund 1947.186