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The Adoration of the Magi

possibly ca. 1320
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 601

At once austere and tender, this image belongs to a series of seven narrative scenes of the Life of Christ. The sophisticated depiction of the stable, viewed from slightly below, and the columnar solidity of the figures are typical of Giotto, considered the founder of Italian painting. The impetuous action of the kneeling king, who picks up the Christ Child, and Mary’s expression of concern translate the biblical account into deeply human terms.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Adoration of the Magi
  • Artist: Giotto di Bondone (Italian, Florentine, 1266/76–1337)
  • Date: possibly ca. 1320
  • Medium: Tempera on wood, gold ground
  • Dimensions: 17 3/4 x 17 1/4 in. (45.1 x 43.8 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1911
  • Object Number: 11.126.1
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

Audio

Cover Image for 5057. The Adoration of the Magi

5057. The Adoration of the Magi

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