Adoration of the Magi
Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo (Italian, 1481–1559)
Details
Title
Adoration of the Magi
Artist/Maker
Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo (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
Custom Prints
This intimately scaled painting shows a scene from the New Testament: three magi, sometimes referred to as wise men, and a crowd of onlookers gather 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, while a group of followers extends into the distant landscape. The artist, Benvenuto Tisi, articulated the figures with bright jewel tones and precise outlines.