Friday, January 6, 2017

Epiphany: The Adoration of the Magi in Art

Adoration of the Magi by Giotto (1304-1306) (link)

The Epiphany, also called Three Kings Day,  is Christian feast day celebrated on January 6th.  This day traditionally marks the end of the Christmas season, and it commemorates the visit of the Magi or Three Wise Men, who followed the Star of Bethlehem to find and worship the baby Jesus, bringing him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Various customs are practiced by different cultural groups and Christian denominations in celebration. The adoration of the Magi has inspired many works of Christian art, including paintings, tapestries, stained glass windows, and of course, Christmas cards.  Presented here are several beautiful examples from the 14th Century to the 20th Century.

Tapestry- The Adoration of the Magi (1903) (from a painting by Edward Burne-Jones) (link)

Painting- The Adoration of the Magi by Edward Burne-Jones

Adoration of the Magi by Correggio (1517) (link)

Adoration of the Magi by Fra Angelico (1423-1424) (link)

Annunciation and Adoration of the Magi by Fra Angelico (1424) (link)

The Adoration of the Magi by Giotto (1311-20) (link)

Adoration of the Magi by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (18th Cent.)

Tuck Postcard of Stained Glass Window, Canterbury Cathedral, Kent, England (link)

Visit of Magi by Rogier van der Weyden (15th Cent.)

Madonna and Child by Matthaus Schiestl (Date unkown, prior to 1913)

Christmas Postcard by Raphael Tuck and Sons (1911) (link)



 

1 comment:

  1. I don't know where you got that pic of Rogier van der weyden, but the original painting does not have a crucifix hanging in the rafters.. lol

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