Adoration of the Magi 1633

Nicolas Poussin painted this oil on canvas, Adoration of the Magi, sometime in his career, and it reflects the evolving dynamics between religious narrative, cultural identity, and artistic expression during the Baroque period. Poussin situates the Holy Family within the ruins of a classical building, perhaps commenting on the transition from the classical world to the Christian era. The inclusion of the Magi, traditionally depicted as kings from different parts of the world, brings issues of cultural and racial diversity to the fore. One of the Magi is depicted as Black African, a reflection of the increasing global awareness in Europe at the time. However, Poussin’s characters seem caught between reverence and theatricality, inviting us to consider the varying emotional registers of belief and display. The painting asks us to consider how the sacred is received and performed across different cultures.