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Notes
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Guided by a star, the Three Kings journeyed from the East to Bethlehem to honour the newborn Christ. Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Girolamo’s depiction of the subject is unusual. Normally the holy family is shown in a stable in the ruins of a classical building and the kings are depicted with an entourage. The manner in which Caspar is prostrated on the ground here is also very unusual. Balthasar, contrary to appearances, is not being set upon by robbers – he is removing his sword, aided by his attendants, in preparation for his meeting with Christ. The group of the Virgin and the infant Christ with the first two kings is derived from a tapestry cartoon (full-size drawing) made by followers of Raphael, called the Scuola Nuova cartoon (the original is now lost).
Title
The Adoration of the Kings
Date
probably about 1545-50
Medium
Oil on wood
Measurements
H 44.2 x W 32.1 cm
Accession number
NG640
Acquisition method
Bought, 1860
Work type
Painting
The National Gallery, London
Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England
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Virgin and Child in a Landscape with the Child Baptist and Saint Catherine of Alexandria Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (GMRC) -
The Adoration of the Kings The National Gallery, London -
Cardinal Ippolito de' Medici and Monsignor Mario Bracci The National Gallery, London -
Diana with Nymph, Bathing The Bowes Museum