Adoration of the Magi

The Adoration of the Magi (or kings) was a popular religious subject showing the magi bringing gifts to the newborn Jesus. This painting shows the Holy Family in a grand architectural setting, rather than a stable. It also displays a large procession of figures and animals, including dogs, horses and camels. The three Magi (or Kings) are also known as the three wise men,named Caspar, Balthasar and Melchior, and were usually symbolic of the three known continents of the world, Africa, Asia and Europe. Here, Balthasar appears as African. More African figures appear in the crowd, probably part of Balthasar’s company. He represents a rare example of a visible Black presence in historic European painting. Portrayals of Balthasar show the increasing diversity of Europe over the centuries. Italy and Portugal received Christian ambassadors from parts of Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries. At the same time, Europeans were brutally enslaving Africans. Images like this reflect European perspectives and biases. We mainly see white faces in western European art even for Middle Eastern and African characters. Acknowledging the whitening of history through art helps us to better understand our historic collections and their role in shaping contemporary attitudes to European, Black and world history.