Artwork

King Melchior, one of the Three Magi, Pointing at the Star, fragment from An Adoration of the Magi

King Melchior, one of the Three Magi, Pointing at the Star, fragment from An Adoration of the Magi is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1480 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is a painted fragment depicting King Melchior, one of the three Magi.

About this work

Overview

The work is a painted fragment depicting King Melchior, one of the three Magi. He is shown standing, holding a gift in his right hand while his left hand is raised toward a luminous star. The figure wears a red robe trimmed in gold and a tall, conical hat, characteristic of the period’s regal attire.

Subject & Meaning

Melchior’s gesture of pointing upward references the biblical narrative of the Magi following the Star of Bethlehem to honor the infant Jesus. The inclusion of a gift underscores his role as a bearer of tribute, emphasizing themes of reverence and pilgrimage.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on panel, the fragment retains remnants of gold leaf that catch the light, contrasting with the faded pigments of the surrounding flesh and drapery. The paint surface shows considerable wear, giving the face a translucent, almost spectral appearance.

History & Provenance

The piece originated as part of a larger altarpiece, likely installed on a church altar, and was later detached, probably during a 19th‑century dismantling. Its removal left a solitary panel that now survives as an isolated fragment within the museum’s collection.

Context

Altarpieces of the Nativity often included multiple figures of the Magi, each rendered with distinct attributes. This fragment aligns with contemporary depictions that emphasized the regal status of the wise men through sumptuous clothing and symbolic gestures.