The Adoration of the Magi motif was unusual for Florentine altar scenes until the 15th century. The Adoration of the Magi is a c.1617-18 painting by Peter Paul Rubens.It is now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon Since it is horizontal rather than vertical it was probably commissioned for a private collection rather than as an altarpiece. The Adoration of the Magi is a Morris & Co. tapestry depicting the story in Christianity of the Three Kings who were guided to the birthplace of Jesus by the star of Bethlehem.It is sometimes called The Star of Bethlehem or simply The Adoration. The journey of the Magi, from the time that they see the star, to their pause at Herodâs palace and finally, their return home, is depicted in three separate episodes in the background of the work, brought together by the rocky backdrop on the horizon, but visually separated by the three arches of the frame. Andrea Mantegnaâs Adoration of the Magi is based on one of Christianityâs best loved stories: the arrival of the gift-bearing Wise Men at the baby Jesusâ birthplace in Bethlehem. It is unknown whether Gaspare instructed Botticelli to include the many likenesses of the Medici family in it, or whether it was a decision that Botticelli made. History It thus combines the narratives of the gospels of Matthew (2:1â12) and Luke (2:8â13). The Adoration of the Magi is Sandro Botticelliâs depiction of a famous scene, where the three Magi, or kings, bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to lay before a baby Jesus. Find more prominent pieces of religious painting at Wikiart.org â best visual art database. While the simple Bible text is usually depicted with sweeping, exotic pageantry, here the subject is rendered with an intimate, close-up focus on the central characters in the scene. The three wise men in art A glance at the many paintings with The Three Magi as subject matter reveals them all showing the three kings in adoration before the Child and Mary. The Adoration of the Magi was commissioned from Botticelli by Italian banker, Gaspare di Zanobi del Lama. This was a popular theme among Renaissance painters, and Botticelliâs version dates back to around 1475. âAdoration of the Magiâ was created in c.1306 by Giotto in Proto Renaissance style. But the 15th century was its golden age, probably due to many brotherhoods in Florence. It was an ambitious project for the then 29-year-old Leonardo, and his father - who administered the monastery's finances - may have helped obtain the commission. The word magus, the singular form of magi, is probably derived from an ancient Persian word for priest. The Prado Adoration of the Magi to which The Met's painting is often compared is a later treatment of the theme of about 1495, and more ambitious in terms of its composition as well as sophisticated in handling and execution. It was destined for a Florentine chapel, the Santa Maria Novella. The Picture: The Met's picture combines two events: the foreground shows the Adoration of the Magi while in the left background an angel announces the birth of Christ to two shepherds. One of the first presentations of the Adoration of the magi is found on the Strozzi altar of Gentile da Fabiano, dating in 1423. Adoration of the Magi was commissioned in 1480 for the main altar of the monastery of San Donato a Scopeto, near Florence. Â best visual art database history the Adoration of the Magi was commissioned in 1480 for main... Century was its golden age, probably due to many brotherhoods in.. Prominent pieces of religious painting at Wikiart.org â best visual art database was destined a! 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