Balthasar, from Three Magi series 1595 - 1616

"Balthasar, from Three Magi series" is an etching by Jacques Bellange, created between 1595 and 1616. This print depicts one of the three wise men, Balthasar, who is dressed in a richly detailed, ornate costume. The artist uses fine lines and shading to capture the intricate textures and folds of his garment, which emphasizes the man's regal bearing and the opulence of the occasion. Balthasar holds an incense burner, a vessel symbolic of offerings to the newborn Christ. This work is a striking example of the artist's skill in portraying both religious and historical subjects with sensitivity and accuracy.