The Adoration of the Magi c. mid 1520s

Simon Bening's "The Adoration of the Magi" (c. mid 1520s) is a miniature painting that depicts the biblical story of the Three Wise Men visiting the newborn Jesus. The painting is notable for its vivid colors, meticulous details and three dimensional perspective, characteristic of Bening's work in the early Netherlandish style. The three Magi, in their rich costumes, kneel before the Holy Family, while angels hover above. The scene is set in a stable, with a cow and a donkey in the foreground, and a bustling town in the distance. This work is a testament to Bening's skill as a miniaturist, demonstrating his ability to create a complex and evocative scene within a small format.