Artwork
Triptych with the adoration of the magi
Triptych with the adoration of the magi is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of 1518. It dates from 1524 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
About this work
Overview
The Triptych with the Adoration of the Magi is a three-panel oil painting created in 1524 by the Master of 1518, a Flemish artist associated with the Antwerp Mannerism style.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the biblical scene of the Magi presenting gifts to the Christ Child, surrounded by a gathering of figures. The central panel focuses on the Virgin and Child, while the side panels feature additional characters, some of whom gaze towards the central scene.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by a crowded and expressive composition, with muted earthy tones and visible brushstrokes that give the painting a textured appearance. The artist's style is typical of Antwerp Mannerism, with figures dressed in historical attire.
History & Provenance
The Master of 1518 is an anonymous artist named after a dated altarpiece in Lübeck. Some scholars have suggested possible identities, including Jan Mertens the Younger or Jan van Dornicke. The painting is now held at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
Artist & collection
Artist
The Master of 1518 is a Flemish painter belonging to the stylistic school of Antwerp Mannerism.
Museum
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
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