Black People in European Sculpture Project

54 (14/01/2022)

The Adoration of the Magi

Alabaster, carved in high relief, with traces of dark blue paint, and gilding. The figures, dressed in sixteenth century costume, are grouped in an architectural setting with a vault over them. Below on the left, the Virgin sits on a cushion on a small trunk holding out the standing Christ Child on her left knee. Joseph stands behind her holding a string of beads (a rosary?). An elderly bearded and bareheaded King kneels to the right of the Virgin, holding out a covered vase to the Child. A second bearded King, stands behind him holding a covered cup. The third King, Balthasar, depicted here as the Black Magus, wears a turban with an integrated coronet and decorative feathers. He stands on the extreme right holding a covered cup. The initials 'A.H.' are carved by the Virgin's foot. Remains of blue paint have been found in the vault.

Relief panel

No base

Height: 75.8 cm

Width: 68.5 cm

Depth: 20 cm

Alabaster

Gold

Paint / pigment

Carving

Gilding

Polychromy

Monochrome – white

Right of the Virgin’s foot: ' A. H.'

Identifiable: person from Bible/Christian saint

Crown

Golden vessel

Key subsidiary role

Male

Adult

Royal

Wearing clothes – European/Western clothing

Wearing clothes – ‘exotic’ clothing

None

Feathers

‘Exotic’ costume/dress

Standing

Neutral/emotionless

Indeterminate

Domestic: Biblical/mythological

Sixteenth century (1500-1599)

c. 1540

Inferred from stylistic features

Devotional

Sacred: church

Sacred: cathedral

Sacred: convent/monastery

M.3-1980

1980: purchased by the Fitzwilliam Museum with the Cunliffe, Leverton Harris and Marlay Funds, with contributions from the Regional Fund administered through the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Eranda Foundation. Bought from R. van de Broeck, Brussels