Adoration of the Magi c. 1600

Editor: This painting, *Adoration of the Magi*, is from the School of Jacopo Tintoretto. It feels very theatrical to me, almost like a stage production with so many figures. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Its theatricality is definitely a key element. Paintings like these were not just religious objects, but performative displays of wealth and power. Think about who commissioned it, where it was displayed, and what message they wanted to convey about their piety and social standing. Editor: So, it’s less about pure religious devotion and more about public image? Curator: It's both, intertwined. The church, or wealthy patrons, used art to inspire faith and simultaneously project authority. The scale and drama served to impress the viewers and reinforce social hierarchies. What do you make of the crowd depicted in the back? Editor: That's a great point, I will think about the cultural context next time I look at art.