Aanbidding door de koningen 1570 - 1596

"Adoration of the Kings" is an engraving by Frans Floris I, created during the 16th century. Consider Floris's position as an artist in Antwerp, a major center of commerce and cultural exchange. The rise of the merchant class and the influx of new ideas from around the globe shaped the artistic landscape. The Adoration scene would have been ripe for interpretation. Traditionally, the three kings represent different continents and ages, but here, race, class and gender dynamics complicate the narrative. Notice how the traditional hierarchy of religious scenes is both maintained and subtly challenged through the composition. In a time of immense religious and political upheaval, engravings like this served not only as devotional objects but also as powerful statements. They are a reflection of the anxieties and aspirations of a society on the cusp of modernity.