The Adoration of the Child is a painting by Correggio, an Italian Renaissance artist known for his use of vibrant colors and innovative techniques. This oil on canvas artwork depicts Madonna adoring her child, highlighting the intimate bond between mother and child. The painting can be found in two locations: Uffizi Gallery in Florence and Palazzo Brera in Milan.
Measuring 81 x 67 cm, this small yet powerful painting captures the tenderness between Madonna and her son, as well as the awe and reverence of the magi kneeling before them. The depiction of Casper, an elderly magus kissing the Child’s foot, reprises the pose of Christ from a young Correggio’s earlier work called Christ Taking Leave of his Mother.
It is interesting to note that Correggio’s first major commission was for decorating a private chamber of a convent in Parma called Camera di San Paolo (“Chamber of Saint Paul”). Although it was not related to religious themes explicitly, it paved way for his later works where he incorporated subtle messages through religious scenes like The Adoration Of The Child.
