The Adoration of the Magi

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting showcases Sequeira’s late‑classicist brushwork combined with Romantic dramatics. Rich coloration and detailed rendering of costumes convey both realism and a staged spectacle, reflecting the artist’s skill in handling complex groupings and luminous effects.

The canvas belongs to the four‑part Palmela Series, which also includes a Descent from the Cross, an Ascension, and an unfinished Last Judgment. In 1845 the series was purchased by Pedro de Sousa Holstein, 1st Duke of Palmela, from Sequeira’s daughter. The painting entered Lisbon’s National Museum of Ancient Art in 2016 after a pioneering crowdfunding acquisition.

Art historian José‑Augusto França has described the Palmela Series as Sequeira’s aesthetic and spiritual testament, positioning the Adoration as a key example of his mature vision. Its public purchase marked a milestone in Portuguese museum funding, highlighting contemporary interest in preserving national artistic heritage.