Adoration of the Kings Veronese (Paolo Cagliari) (1528-1588)

Description of Paolo Veronese’s painting The Adoration of the Magi

Among the prominent Venetian artists, it is with interest to observe the works of Paolo Veronese. Like other famous masters of the 16th century, he was interested in religious painting. On this vast and profound subject he created the painting The Adoration of the Magi. A large oil painting with a popular biblical subject was completed by 1573.

"Adoration" by Veronese was intended for the Venetian church of San Silvestro. The work is remarkable for its colorful illustrations and multi-figure composition. A common motif depicting the birth of Christ in a dilapidated stable is repeated in the Venetian painter’s painting.

The wooden planks of the dilapidated house symbolize the Old Testament. These structures rest against new antique columns with elaborately carved arches and balustrades. The second architectural structure represents the New Testament era, which opens with the birth of Jesus.

The composition is filled with many figures of people, animals and angels. The Magi from the East kneel beside Mary seated with the Child. The other characters gathered here turned their gazes curiously to the Madonna and Christ. The artist added a bright swift ray of light from heaven, pointing to the divine couple.

Veronese did an excellent job of depicting the clothing of all the characters on the canvas.

The Magi are dressed in expensive multi-colored cloths. Beside them are the retinue in armor and the common people. At the very corner of the painting, we see a shepherd holding his dog by the leash.

The painter has tried to convey the biblical scene in its lofty grandeur. The act of adoration of the newborn child is shown emotionally and festively. At the same time the author portrayed his contemporaries in the crowd: the expression of their faces, their clothes, their gestures. The result is a grandiose canvas that invariably draws the attention of visitors to the London Gallery.