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The Adoration of the Magi

ca. 1500
Not on view
In this early drawing by the artist, the Holy Family appears on a raised platform: the seated Virgin holds the blessing Christ Child on her knee and the pensive Saint Joseph stands at left. The Magi are grouped at the foot of the steps leading to the platform. On the horizon appear more knights, two watching shepherds are seen on the hill at left, and further spectators are perched on the top of a building that is lightly indicated at upper right.
Fra Bartolomeo's composition was inspired by portrayals of the Adoration of the Magi made by Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli, all characterized by a similar pyramidal grouping. The same composition was studied by the artist in a drawing in the Uffizi, Florence (inv. 452 E) and although this ambitious scene was never brought to completion as a painting, Bartolomeo's design was later reused with slight modifications by his follower Giovanni Antonio Sogliani for a panel now in Memphis (Brooks Museum of Art inv. 64.19, where it is attributed to Antonio di Donnino del Mazziere).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Adoration of the Magi
  • Artist: Fra Bartolomeo (Bartolomeo di Paolo del Fattorino) (Italian, Florence 1473–1517 Florence) (?)
  • Date: ca. 1500
  • Medium: Pen and brown ink, over traces of black chalk
  • Dimensions: 10-15/16 x 9-7/16 in. (27.8 x 24.0 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Walter C. Baker, 1971
  • Object Number: 1972.118.241
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

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Approach to a Mountain Village with Horsemen on the Road, Fra Bartolomeo (Bartolomeo di Paolo del Fattorino) Italian, Pen and brown ink, traces of black chalk; mounted on an album page
Approach to a Mountain Village with Horsemen on the Road
Fra Bartolomeo (Bartolomeo di Paolo del Fattorino)
ca. 1501
Lobster-Tail Burgonet, Steel, leather, gold, North Italian
Lobster-Tail Burgonet
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ca. 1610
Portrait of Nicolas Trigault in Chinese Costume, Peter Paul Rubens Flemish, Black, red, and white chalk, blue pastel, and pen and brown and black ink on light brown laid paper
Portrait of Nicolas Trigault in Chinese Costume
Peter Paul Rubens
1617
Madonna and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist, Fra Bartolomeo (Bartolomeo di Paolo del Fattorino) Italian, Oil and gold on wood
Madonna and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist
Fra Bartolomeo (Bartolomeo di Paolo del Fattorino)
ca. 1497
Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head, Steel, copper, gold, glass, pigment, textile, Italian
Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head
Italian
ca. 1475–80

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