The Adoration of the Kings by Hendrick ter Brugghen

The Adoration of the Kings 1619

hendrickterbrugghen1

character portrait

character art

painted

possibly oil pastel

oil painting

underpainting

painterly

painting painterly

watercolour illustration

watercolor

Hendrick ter Brugghen’s “The Adoration of the Kings,” painted in 1619, is a large-scale oil painting on canvas that depicts the biblical event of the three wise men visiting the infant Jesus. The composition is highly dramatic, with the figures arranged in a tight, pyramid-like formation, and their expressions convey reverence and awe. The painting is characterized by its strong use of chiaroscuro, which creates a sense of depth and volume. The rich colors and detailed textures give the work a sense of realism. The inclusion of the three wise men's gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh) underscores the significance of the event and the importance of the infant Jesus. This painting exemplifies ter Brugghen's signature style of realism, which was heavily influenced by Caravaggio.

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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The infant Christ sits on the lap of his mother, the Virgin Mary, while the three kings present him with gifts. It is striking that the figures are shown crowded together and in fairly stiff, static poses. Ter Brugghen’s style was old-fashioned by the standards of his time: the bright palette recalls Mannerism. The realism, especially in the Child’s face, brings to mind the work of the Italian painter Caravaggio.