Adoration of the Magi

ca. 1510–20
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 610
A Christian gospel recounts that three magi (also called wise men or kings) travelled from distant lands to worship the newborn Jesus Christ. In this relief, the three kings remove their headdresses in succession and progress from standing to kneeling, venerating the holy infant.



Framed like a painting, the relief challenges the pictorial limits of sculpture. The closest figures project with sharp focus, and those furthest away are shallow and blurred. In the distant mountain valley, a shepherd and his dog save their flock from a stalking wolf. These figures likely reference Christ the Savior, who compared himself to the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Adoration of the Magi
  • Date: ca. 1510–20
  • Culture: Italian, Milan
  • Medium: Marble
  • Dimensions: wt. confirmed: 19 7/8 × 15 1/4 in., 31 lb. (50.5 × 38.7 cm, 14.1 kg)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.741
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

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.