Explore the Description of this artwork.
The Adoration is ethereally and dramatically illuminated by the Star of Bethlehem, reminiscent of the style of Rembrandt (a comparison already made by Count Raczynski in 1847), and also Tiepolo and probably Turner, in the opinion of José-Augusto França. The star is depicted as a luminous white circle of light up in the sky, from which seeps a faint luminescence that lights up the characters; a more distinct diagonal ray of light shines directly onto Jesus and Mary in the centre of the composition. Saint Joseph, not as brightly-lit as the Virgin, stands beside her and holds her blue mantle.
The Magi are before the Holy Family; two, Melchior and Balthazar, kneel holding up the gifts of gold and myrrh in ornate and bejewelled boxes, the other, Caspar, is prostrate and behind him stands a page holding the gift of frankincense. Nearby, a man stands swinging a thurible.
Not only the Magi, but the crowd of around 150 figures that surround them are dressed in elaborate exotic robes, turbans and caps resembling fezzes. Some of them bear prominent status symbols, such as richly-decorated cloaks and headgear, processional canopies, horses with elaborate reins and harnesses, and one is carried inside an elaborate carriage on the back of an elephant. Immediately behind the Magi, there are groups of young pages that hold their cloaks and headgear. A small group of dignitaries to the left seems to be discussing the nature of the light above (possibly astronomers); a harried soldier shoves a group of young men out of the way; a shepherd on the foreground seems to be preparing to immolate a sheep. There also seem to be subtle visual references to the prophecy of Isaiah: the rubble of the ruined Jerusalem from Isa. 60:1, the women carrying lap children from Isa. 60:4 (alternatively, a reference to the Massacre of the Innocents), the camels from Isa. 60:6.
The scene is framed by the crowd, the Romantic vague suggestion of ruins and a misty pale sky, with a dramatic horizon painted as an open 'V' shape, guiding the view towards the focal point of the composition: Jesus on Mary's arms.
Jesus Star of Bethlehem thurible astronomer Caspar right Magi processional canopies frankincense Massacre of the Innocents Romantic myrrh Tiepolo Rembrandt Melchior gold Turner Isaiah fez Jerusalem left José-Augusto França Saint Joseph Count Raczynski Balthazar carriage on the back of an elephant