The Adoration of the Magi c. 1515

Lucas van Leyden’s “The Adoration of the Magi” (c. 1515) is a powerful woodcut depicting the biblical event of the three wise men visiting the baby Jesus. The composition is dynamic, with the figures tightly grouped in the foreground. The detail in the figures’ clothing and the gifts they bring highlights van Leyden’s mastery of line and form. This woodcut is considered a prime example of Northern Renaissance printmaking, demonstrating a strong focus on realism and meticulous detail, characteristic of Dutch art of the period.