“The Adoration of the Magi,” a religious painting from the left interior wing of the Oberried Altarpiece, was created by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1522 in Germany. This artwork, embodying the Northern Renaissance movement, is executed on wood using tempera and measures 230 by 109 centimeters.
The artwork depicts the biblical scene of the Adoration of the Magi, where the three wise men present gifts to the newborn Jesus, held by the Virgin Mary. The composition is rich in detail, with the Magi dressed in lavish, colorful robes, creating a striking contrast with the humble setting of the nativity scene. The ruins and the rustic architecture in the background reflect the Northern Renaissance penchant for detailed and realistic environmental settings. The figures are rendered with delicate precision, characteristic of Holbein’s style. The painting also features a group of children, likely donor portraits, arrayed along the bottom, emphasizing the spiritual and social context of the scene.
