La historia de los Reyes Magos que ofrecen presentes al Jesús recién nacido era uno de los temas bíblicos más populares en la decoración de las iglesias españolas septentrionales, en especial en la segunda mitad del siglo XII. Estas esculturas representan la escena como un encuentro cortesano. María y el Niño aparecen entronizados bajo los restos de un dosel honorífico. Los Reyes Magos hacen gestos de reverencia al acercarse al recién nacido (es probable que un tercer Rey Mago completara la escena original). Todas las figuras, incluida la de José a la derecha, visten ropajes suntuosos de gran volumen que transmitían la opulencia de la escena a los espectadores medievales. Aunque sin duda estas obras tienen un significado religioso, la escena también evoca el entorno secular de la visita de una delegación extranjera.
The story of the magi (wise men) offering gifts to the newborn Jesus was among the most popular of biblical subjects for decorating northern Spanish churches, particularly in the second half of the twelfth century. These sculptures portray the scene as a courtly encounter. Mary and her infant son sit enthroned underneath the remains of an honorific canopy. The magi display signs of reverence as they approach the newborn (a third wise man likely completed the original scene). All figures, including Joseph at right, wear lavish, voluminous garments that would have conveyed the richness of the tableaux to medieval viewers. While these works unquestionably have religious significance, the scene also evokes the secular setting of a foreign delegation’s visit.
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From the church of Nuestra Señora de la Llana at Cerezo de Rio Tirón, near Burgos; [ Raimundo Ruíz Ruíz, Burgos and Madrid (sold 1929)] ; [ Brummer Gallery, Paris and New York (1929–1930)]
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