The Adoration of the Kings 1485 - 1528

Albrecht Durer created this woodcut called 'The Adoration of the Kings'. It is a tiny print of a biblical scene of the three kings visiting baby Jesus. Durer lived in a time of great religious upheaval. In 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses, questioning the authority of the Catholic Church. Many artists like Durer were grappling with how to express religious ideas in a time of religious reform. We see Mary in the center with the Christ child. Three kings stand before her. Their expressions are solemn, but Mary looks tenderly at the child. Durer does a beautiful job in this tiny scene of capturing a moment of humanity. Here we have a depiction of motherhood and the deep emotions attached to it. It is an intimate glimpse into a pivotal moment in Christian history. It's as if Durer seeks to make sacred events accessible and deeply human.