Who painted Adoration of the Magi?

Adoration of the Magi was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.

Where can I see Adoration of the Magi?

Adoration of the Magi is held by Uffizi Gallery.

What movement is Adoration of the Magi?

Adoration of the Magi is associated with Early Renaissance.

Artwork

Adoration of the Magi

Leonardo da Vinci

Adoration of the Magi is a charcoal painting by the Early Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. It is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Leonardo da Vinci began an Adoration of the Magi for the Augustinian convent of San Donato in Scopeto in 1481. The work was never completed; Leonardo abandoned the project when he moved to Milan the following year. What remains is the underdrawing, executed in charcoal, ink and watercolor, offering a glimpse of his early compositional planning.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a woman cradling an infant, surrounded by a dense gathering of figures that includes kneeling worshippers and standing onlookers. A modest tree occupies the foreground, while a group of mounted riders approaches a distant building, suggesting a narrative of pilgrimage and reverence typical of the Magi’s journey.

Technique & Style

Leonardo employed fine, intersecting lines to model shadows and textures, particularly in the drapery and facial features. Cross‑hatching creates tonal depth, while the limited palette of earthy browns, soft yellows and occasional whites emphasizes the drawing’s tonal range rather than coloristic richness. The arrangement balances crowd density with clear spatial organization.

History & Provenance

After Leonardo left the project unfinished, the drawing remained in the convent’s possession until it entered the Uffizi Gallery in Florence in 1670, where it has been displayed ever since. Its presence in the Uffizi provides scholars with an early example of Leonardo’s preparatory methods before his mature works.