Adoration of the Magi
Benvenuto Tisi
Italian, 1481–1559

Details
Title
Adoration of the Magi
Artist/Maker
Benvenuto Tisi (Italian, 1481–1559)
Date
ca. 1534
Medium
Oil on panel
Dimensions
15 1/8 x 23 inches
Credit
Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation
Accession #
58.44
This intimately scaled painting shows a scene from the New Testament: three magi, sometimes referred to as wise men, and a crowd of onlookers flock to celebrate the birth of the infant Jesus Christ. The Madonna is seated in the center foreground, holding the Christ child, as Joseph stands behind her, silhouetted against the cave’s dark entrance. They are surrounded by the magi; a group of followers extends into the distant landscape. The artist, Benvenuto Tisi, articulated the figures with bright jewel tones and precise outlines.