Artwork
The Magi
The Magi is an ink print by Christian Rohlfs. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1910, *The Magi* is a woodcut print on wove paper by German artist Christian Rohlfs. Executed in the expressive visual language of early 20th‑century German Expressionism, the work presents a stark, linear interpretation of the biblical scene of the three Magi.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on three robed travelers. The figure in the middle extends a small, box‑like object, suggesting the offering of gifts, while the companions reach toward it. The faces are rendered as simplified, mask‑like shapes, emphasizing archetypal presence over individual identity.
Technique & Style
Rohlfs carved the design into a wood block, inked the raised surfaces, and pressed the block onto wove paper. The woodcut method yields rough, uneven lines that convey a sense of immediacy. Jagged, swirling marks dominate the background, evoking turbulent clouds or tangled foliage and reinforcing the work’s dramatic intensity.
History & Provenance
As a leading figure in German Expressionism, Rohlfs experimented with printmaking alongside his painting practice. *The Magi* reflects his interest in adapting traditional woodcut processes to the movement’s bold, emotive aesthetic. Details of the print’s ownership history remain limited.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Christian Rohlfs (November 22, 1849 - January 8, 1938) was a German painter and printmaker, one of the important representatives of German expressionism.
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