The Adoration of the Magi (Cartoon for an Embroidery) 1587 - 1589

Diego Lopez de Escuriaz created this drawing on paper, "The Adoration of the Magi," as a design for an embroidery. The limited range of sepia tones and the strong, directional hatching give the scene a sculptural quality, as if carved in relief. The figures are grouped symmetrically around the Virgin and Child, reinforcing their central importance. The composition itself is structured by a series of horizontal planes, upon which the figures are arranged in a shallow foreground space. The architectural elements in the background echo this symmetry, with a central arched opening framing the divine light above the Virgin. Notice the artist's careful attention to the drapery, with its complex folds and shadows that add depth and texture. This formal emphasis, and its somewhat flattened perspective, creates a sense of order and decorum appropriate to the religious subject. The scene is self-contained by a drawn circle. This artwork is not just a depiction of a biblical event, but a meticulously constructed design, where line and form serve to convey a sense of reverence.