The Adoration of the Magi
This engraving, known only in this incomplete state, is one of the earliest unfinished prints to have survived. It reproduces, on the same scale, the right-hand portion of an important painting by the artist, and its odd cropping suggests that a fuller composition may have been originally intended. We do not know why impressions were pulled even though the print was incomplete, but perhaps Mantegna’s fame made them attractive to collectors.
The engraving is based on the central panel of Mantegna's triptych in the Uffizi, which dates about 1463-64. It has been formally attributed to Zoan Andrea by Hind (H.V.22.13), while Kristeller (Kristeller, 1901, p.463) and Zucher (TIB.XXV.Comm.98.008) left the attribution to anonymous.
The engraving is based on the central panel of Mantegna's triptych in the Uffizi, which dates about 1463-64. It has been formally attributed to Zoan Andrea by Hind (H.V.22.13), while Kristeller (Kristeller, 1901, p.463) and Zucher (TIB.XXV.Comm.98.008) left the attribution to anonymous.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Adoration of the Magi
- Artist: School of Andrea Mantegna (Italian, Isola di Carturo 1430/31–1506 Mantua)
- Date: ca. 1475–80
- Medium: Engraving (centre of composition completed, rest in outline)
- Dimensions: Sheet: 14 1/16 × 10 9/16 in. (35.7 × 26.8 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1925
- Object Number: 25.2.30
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
School of Andrea Mantegna (Italian, Isola di Carturo 1430/31–1506 Mantua)
n.d.
After Andrea Mantegna (Italian, Isola di Carturo 1430/31–1506 Mantua)
Late 18th or early 19th century
Andrea Mantegna (Italian, Isola di Carturo 1430/31–1506 Mantua)
before 1475
After Andrea Mantegna (Italian, Isola di Carturo 1430/31–1506 Mantua)
ca. 1500–10
School of Andrea Mantegna (Italian, Isola di Carturo 1430/31–1506 Mantua)
ca. 1490
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.