The Adoration of the Magi c. 17th century

Nicolaes Maes, a Dutch Golden Age painter, created this pen and brown ink drawing, "The Adoration of the Magi", sometime in the 17th century. Depicting a scene from the Christian narrative, the drawing captures the moment the Three Wise Men, also known as Magi, kneel in adoration of the baby Jesus, a central figure in the composition. Maes, known for his meticulous detail and realistic portrayals, captures the solemnity of this religious event, likely in preparation for a larger work. The drawing's brown tones contribute to a sense of reverence and introspection, evoking the quiet and contemplative mood of the biblical story.