The Adoration of the Magi by Pieter Aertsen

The Adoration of the Magi c. 1560

pieteraertsen

character portrait

character art

sculpture

possibly oil pastel

oil painting

unrealistic statue

underpainting

painting painterly

abstract character

portrait art

"The Adoration of the Magi" (c. 1560) by Pieter Aertsen is a Flemish Renaissance oil painting that depicts the biblical story of the Three Wise Men visiting the baby Jesus. The painting is notable for its realistic details and its portrayal of the event as a grand, celebratory occasion, but also for the inclusion of everyday Dutch life and common figures in the background, giving the piece a unique blend of sacred and secular elements. The scene is set in a bustling, vibrant landscape, where the holy figures are juxtaposed with ordinary townsfolk, highlighting Aertsen's masterful attention to detail and his interest in depicting the everyday world.

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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This altarpiece, which originally had two wings, is dedicated to the adoration of the newborn baby Jesus by the three magi, each of whom was represented on one of the panels. This centre panel depicts only the oldest king.