Adoration of the Magi

Early 1700s

oil painting on canvas

Measurements (cm): 124 x 172 cm, framed 140 x 188 cm.

Additional Notes:

Inventory number "3464", painted in oil in red at the bottom left, and a further numbering "128" at the bottom right, confirming a history of collecting.

Provenance: Munich, Hampel Auction House (link)

Estimate: € 40,000 / 60,000 - Sale price: € 40,000 - Rights included: € 51,800

The proposed painting, in large format, depicts the scene of the Adoration of the Magi, a favorite theme in ancient painting and proposed here with a sumptuous image, with a theatrical effect where the characters seem to move as if on a real stage.

The authorship of the work, subjected to an in-depth study by Professor Emilio Negro, has been confirmed to the Neapolitan Sebastiano Conca (Gaeta 1680 - Naples 1764); as the historian points out, the wide breadth of the canvas, the skilful composition and rich in scrupulous details are in fact the typical qualities of the full maturity of the artist originally from Gaeta.

His language, in this altarpiece, is scenographic, and the nocturnal setting makes the dialogue between the figures and the surrounding environment even tighter but, to be the master, are the diagonals created by the games of glances between the characters and their bodies in motion.

There is a lot of intensity in the way the Virgin and Child present themselves to the Magi, who have come to pay homage to the Sacred event. Mary, in a red robe with a blue cloak, holds Jesus in both arms, while the upper body is tilted slightly forward to present the child to the Kings. The child Jesus holds his right hand in a gesture of blessing and look at the king kneeling on the steps.

The Magi carry precious gifts with them and are royally portrayed, so much so that they seem to have come out of a goldsmith's shop of the time and move like actors in a Sacred Representation. The three, with all their entourage, are dressed in rich and sumptuous robes, a true collection of fabrics and brocades.

Melchior, the eldest, is portrayed with an ermine collar, a necklace with rubies and a silk tunic. He is kneeling on the steps in adoration of the Child, offering him gold; behind him the two pages, one from the back with a doublet and the other who is opening the treasure chest, point to Maria with the child. Gasparre and Baltassarre, behind him, are waiting to honor the event with their precious gifts: the first, wearing a gold toothed crown, offers incense in a jar with a lid, while the second, the black king, offers myrrh, highlighted by the red color that shines in the darkness of the robe and the top of the turban.

The painting is of superb executive quality, characterized by a luminous design and a lively chromatism. The lines are highlighted by a vigorous design, with a rather marked play of light and dark.

The work is in excellent condition, perfectly clean and has no restorations. In detail the photo before the conservative restoration.

Like all our objects, the work is sold with a certificate of photographic authenticity in accordance with the law.

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