Procession of the Magus Balthazar (detail) 1461

Benozzo Gozzoli painted this section of the ‘Procession of the Magus Balthazar’ during the early Renaissance. The frescoes that make up this artwork are located in the Magi Chapel of the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence. Rich in color and detail, Gozzoli's frescoes depict a grand parade, capturing the opulence and pageantry associated with the biblical story of the Magi. However, these figures were not just wise men of the bible, but also portraits of prominent members of the Medici family and their allies. By intertwining religious narrative with contemporary portraiture, Gozzoli elevated the status of his patrons, aligning them with the revered figures of Christian history. Notice the Magus Balthazar, traditionally represented as a Black African king, is depicted here as a young, fair-skinned man. This representation reflects the complex interplay of race, identity, and power in Renaissance society. Gozzoli's choice to portray Balthazar in this manner underscores the prevailing cultural norms and artistic conventions of the time, which often prioritized European features. This artwork invites us to reflect on the ways in which art shapes and reinforces societal perceptions of race, while prompting us to question the narratives that have been historically privileged.