Adoration of the Magi Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665)

Description of Nicolas Poussin’s painting The Adoration of the Magi

This painting is one of French artist Nicolas Poussin’s most popular works. Such a religious subject has been duplicated many times by other masters, as the biblical stories have a halo of allegories and allegories, and this is a favorite of sculptors, painters and poets.

The painting tells us the story described in Matthew’s Gospel. The Magi, from the very East, guided by a star, went to Bethlehem to gaze upon the King of the Jews, the Christ, born of the holy virgin Mary. King Herod desired the death of the holy child so he had to inform her where the Child was, saying that he wanted to worship Him. The treacherous ruler was most afraid of losing power, so he decided on such a meanness.

The painting depicts the infant’s mother, the Holy Virgin Mary. She proudly holds her beloved child in her lap, gently wrapping her arms around him. A gentle smile can be seen on the face of the Saint, testifying to the pride and joy of motherhood. Thus, Mary and the Child are the brightest part of the picture, which symbolizes the holiness and divine origin of the Mother and Child. Among the expressive Magi who surround the caring Mother, enveloped in admiration, worship and falling down before the Holiness, the Virgin Mary together with the Child also stand out for their pronounced serenity: bliss and tranquility seem to fill their hearts.

This biblical subject in the paintings of other masters had rather rigid requirements, for example, frankincense should symbolize the holiness of Christ, myrrh - to predict his death. However, Nicolas Poussin decided to approach this task in his own way: instead of a solemn event filled with symbolism, he described the natural joy of the birth of the Child.