The Adoration of the Magi 1470 - 1485

Andrea Mantegna created this engraving, The Adoration of the Magi, sometime in the late 15th century, in Italy. Mantegna lived during the early Renaissance, a period when artists like him sought to revive classical aesthetics and humanistic ideals. In this print, the Virgin Mary sits enthroned in a cave, presenting her child to the three magi. The holy family is surrounded by angels who bear witness to this event. This depiction departs from earlier representations by placing the scene in a rugged landscape, rather than the traditional stable. The magi, traditionally understood to come from the East, are here rendered as figures with diverse ages and attitudes, each characterized with great detail, drawing the viewer into the scene, fostering a sense of intimacy with the sacred event. This image, circulated as a print, offered a powerful narrative that reinforced the religious and cultural values of the time.