Artwork
Adoration of the Kings
Adoration of the Kings is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of the Virgo inter Virgines. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
The *Adoration of the Kings*, created in 1496, is a Northern Renaissance oil painting by the Master of the Virgo inter Virgines, an Early Netherlandish artist active near Delft. The work is characterized by the artist's hallmark uncompromising realism.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a scene of reverence, focusing on a woman (likely the Virgin Mary) wearing a red robe and golden halo, holding a serene Christ Child wrapped in white. The composition emphasizes the central figures through subtle color and detailed rendering, drawing the viewer's attention to their importance.
Technique & Style
Employing oil paint, the artist utilizes soft colors and meticulous details to convey depth and significance. The use of chiaroscuro (strong contrasts between light and dark) enhances the three-dimensionality of the scene, particularly in highlighting the central figures.
History & Provenance
The *Adoration of the Kings* is part of the collection at the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. The artist's name derives from another notable work, the *Virgo inter Virgines* altarpiece, housed in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Master of the Virgo inter Virgines
The Master of the Virgo inter Virgines was an Early Netherlandish painter and designer of woodcuts active around Delft between 1483 and 1498.
