The three kings bring offerings to the infant Jesus. Engraving by J. Sadeler after G. van Groeningen.

  • Groeningen, Gerard van, active 1561-1575.
Reference:
22189i
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About this work

Description

The king on the left holds a censer containing frankincense. The kneeling king holds a cup full of round pieces, probably gold. The king on the right, the youngest (Caspar), holds a crown and a container of myrrh. Louis Réau points out that the crown often substitutes for the gold ('Iconographie de l'art chrétien', Paris, 1957, vol. 2, p. 242) In the background, the donkey pulls at some hay and a farmhand feeds the ox; to the right, slaves can be seen on and around a camel. Signs of architectural ruination abound around the scene

Physical description

1 print : line engraving ; platemark 21.1 x 25.1 cm

Contributors

Lettering

Myrrham, thus, aurum felicia munera dando, Extera turba sacros voluitur ante pedes. Math. 2 ca. v. 11. JHS. Bears number: 10

Creator/production credits

Jan Sadeler's monogram can be seen in the bottom right-hand corner, but it is uncertain whether he engraved or simply published the print

Reference

Wellcome Collection 22189i

Type/Technique

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