The Adoration of the Magi 1470 - 1499

Hugo van der Goes painted this “Adoration of the Magi” in the late 15th century, using oil on wood. Oil paint was still a relatively new medium at this time, allowing artists a previously unimaginable level of detail. Look closely, and you will see how van der Goes took full advantage of this. The richly textured robes of the three kings, for example, contrast with the smooth skin of Mary and the Christ child. The artist has painstakingly rendered each fold and every glimmering jewel. Consider the social context: painting like this would have been commissioned by wealthy patrons, eager to display their affluence and piety. The painting’s materials and the labor-intensive techniques involved in its creation, were a status symbol. However, van der Goes has also given us a glimpse of humanity, in the humble setting and the faces of the figures who have come to worship the newborn Christ. This painting reminds us that art is always a product of its time, reflecting both the skills of the artist and the values of the society in which it was made.