The Adoration of the Kings
- Artist: Jan Gossaert (Jean Gossart)
- Date: 1510-15
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "The Adoration of the Kings" by Jan Gossaert, painted in the Belgian region around 1510 to 1515. Christ sits on his mother's lap in a ruined palace, surrounded by the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and three kings: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.
They are depicted bringing gifts to the newborn Jesus, with gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolizing tribute, sacrifice, and burial. The painting also shows the shepherds who first received news of Christ's birth, as well as angels and animals in the background.
Notice how Gossaert has signed his name on two places: Balthasar's hat and the silver collar of his attendant. Technical analysis reveals that this painting required an enormous amount of time and effort to complete, with numerous changes made at all stages, indicating the artist's dedication to his work.
The composition is divided into two horizontal registers: the heavenly zone above and the earthly zone below. The architecture serves to emphasize verticals in the lower zone, creating a sense of depth and space within the painting. Gossaert's use of light and shadow adds to this effect, drawing the viewer's eye through the composition.
The painting is notable for its level of detail, with intricate drawings of faces, clothes, and patterns on textiles. The artist has also mixed and layered pigments in complex ways to achieve a range of colors and tones.
Gossaert drew inspiration from various sources, including the Montforte Altarpiece by Hugo van der Goes, as well as prints by Albrecht Dürer and Martin Schongauer. However, he transformed these influences into an original composition that showcases his mastery of the oil painting technique and his command of light.
This large painting was likely painted for the funerary chapel of Daniel van Boechout in East Flanders, where it may have been on display by 1600.
See it in person
The Adoration of the Kings hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
