Artwork
Adoration of the Magi
Adoration of the Magi is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jacopo Bassano. It dates from 1568 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Jacopo Bassano’s oil painting titled *Adoration of the Magi* was completed in 1568. The work portrays the biblical episode in which the infant Jesus is honored by the visiting Magi. It is part of the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the newborn Christ, cradled by a woman in a pink garment and a white veil, while three wise men in richly patterned robes present their gifts. A white horse and several attendants complete the gathering, conveying the reverence and wonder associated with the nativity narrative.
Technique & Style
Bassano employs a balanced palette of warm pinks and greens against a muted, atmospheric background of trees, hills, and cloud‑filled sky. His use of chiaroscuro models the figures with a three‑dimensional presence, guiding the eye toward the infant and emphasizing the solemn yet intimate mood of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created toward the end of Bassano’s career, the painting entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings during the 19th‑century expansion of the Russian imperial collection. Its provenance prior to acquisition by the museum is not extensively documented, but the work has remained in the Hermitage’s public display since its entry.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacopo Bassano was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Venetian school. He was born and died in Bassano del Grappa, and took the village as his surname. Having trained in the workshop of his father, Francesco the…
