Raffaello Botticini (attrib. to)
Italian, 1477­c. 1520
The Adoration of the Magi
c. 1495
Tempera on panel
diam.: 104.2 cm
Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson Collection, 1937.997

During the Renaissance, many paintings told stories from the life of Christ. The arrival of the three wise men, or magi, at the birthplace of the Christ child is called the Adoration and was a popular subject for paintings. Find the three magi carrying their gifts. Can you find a peacock? Do you see a giraffe? This Adoration is a tondo, or round painting, a shape used for paintings for private homes and not for churches.