The Adoration of the Kings, "The Three Kings have sought out the Child Jesus in the stable where he was born. They bear gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh) and have journeyed from the East (Matthew 2: 10-12). The stable at Bethlehem is attached to the ruins of a great classical building with a triumphal arch in the background. Across the foreground the kings and their attendants are presented with grandeur. Angels appear in the sky, along the ray of light by the side of the arch.
The dominant diagonal, created by this beam of heavenly light, is countered by the diagonal formed by the adoring figures, with Virgin and Child placed where they intersect.
The picture is dated 1573 in Roman numerals on the lowest step (bottom right). It was painted for the church of S. Silvestro in Venice, where it remained until the church was altered in the 19th century. It was not an altarpiece but a large painting for the wall of the nave beside the altar of the confraternity dedicated to Saint Joseph."
-The National Gallery, London. The National Gallery- Explore the Collection. The National Gallery. Web. ., 1573
Scope and Contents
Vanderbilt photo identifier: SC.MSS.088.VERS.0001; Public Notes: Handwritten notes on the back of this catalog clipping indicate information about the work.
Dates
- Creation: 1573
Creator
- Paolo Veronese (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Special Collections in the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. Collections should be requested 2-3 days prior to visiting in order to facilitate easier access. For questions or to request a collection, contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu.
Biographical / Historical
Subjects: Virgin Mary; Jesus Christ; religious works; angels; Magi; Adoration of the Magi; School: Venice; Style period: Renaissance; Technique: painting (technique); Work type: paintings
Full Extent
1 Items : Image Work Type: photographic print ; Image height (in.): 9.9; Image width (in.): 8.5in.
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Physical Description
Medium: oil paint; Print type: black and white; Support: canvas
General
Artist Status: attributed; Inscription original text: dated; Inscription translation text type:
Source
- National Gallery, London, England (Repository, Organization)
Repository Details
Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives Repository
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States
specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu
About this Site
This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.
Requesting Materials
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