Artwork
Adoration of the Magi
Adoration of the Magi is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Bartolo di Fredi. It dates from 1374 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1374, the *Adoration of the Magi* is a tempera panel by Bartolo di Fredi, a leading figure of the Sienese school. The work illustrates the biblical episode in which the three wise men honor the infant Christ, a theme frequently rendered in medieval devotional art. It now belongs to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Subject & Meaning
Angelic figures hover in the background, underscoring the scene’s sacred atmosphere and the theological message of divine revelation to the world.
The composition centers on the Virgin Mary cradling the newborn Jesus within a modest stable. The three magi, rendered in richly patterned garments, kneel before the child, offering gifts that symbolize homage and the recognition of Christ’s universal significance. Angelic figures hover in the background, underscoring the scene’s sacred atmosphere and the theological message of divine revelation to the world.
Technique & Style
Di Fredi employs the tempera medium on wood, using clear, linear outlines and a vivid palette characteristic of late medieval Sienese painting. The figures are stylized with elongated forms and decorative detailing, echoing Byzantine iconography while hinting at emerging naturalism. Architectural elements such as the red‑tiled roof and wooden beams are rendered with precise, flattened perspective, creating a harmonious yet symbolic space.
History & Provenance
Born around 1330, Bartolo di Fredi—also known as Bartolo Battiloro—worked in Siena until his death in 1410, producing altarpieces and narrative panels for local churches. The *Adoration* entered the Metropolitan Museum’s holdings through a 20th‑century acquisition, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s medieval Italian collection, offering insight into the transitional period between Byzantine tradition and early Renaissance art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bartolo di Fredi (c. 1330 – 26 January 1410), also called Bartolo Battiloro, was an Italian painter, born in Siena, classified as a member of the Sienese School.
