The Adoration of the Magi 1875

Adolphe Monticelli created this oil on canvas painting called ‘The Adoration of the Magi.’ Monticelli was celebrated for his impasto technique, where paint is laid on so thickly that it stands out from the surface. You can clearly see how he applied the paint in this artwork. Notice how the thick application of paint captures the texture of the figures' clothing, and the roughness of the landscape. Monticelli’s technique required a lot of paint, which would have been quite expensive. The physicality of the paint is palpable, the result of a laborious process. There's a tradition in painting, associating visible brushwork with authenticity and the artist's touch. This artwork celebrates the value of the artist's labor and the transformation of material into something meaningful. Monticelli challenges the traditional hierarchies, inviting us to appreciate the tactile and material qualities alongside the religious subject matter.