The adoration of the Kings 1650

This drawing, "The Adoration of the Kings," was created by Abraham van Diepenbeeck, a Flemish artist active in the 17th century. It presents a behind-the-scenes look at the biblical story of the Three Kings. Rather than focusing on the moment of adoration, Diepenbeeck gives us the preparations: attendants struggle to unpack and manage the Kings’ retinue of weary camels and horses. There's a striking contrast here. The traditional telling emphasizes the regal and divine aspects of the journey, but Diepenbeeck shows us the labor, the effort, and perhaps even the disruption involved in this visit. The drawing focuses on the bodies and labor involved in this holy event. This choice humanizes the narrative, bringing the sacred story down to earth. It acknowledges the practical realities and the social dynamics at play, suggesting that even in moments of reverence, there is a complex interplay of labor, class, and physicality.