The Adoration of the Magi, ca. 1517 – 1520

Dimensions: 86.8 x 60.5 x 1.0 cm

Physical Description: Oil on oak wood, finely curved at the top, reverse original, on all sides a right-angle cut to fit the groove of the frame

Inventory Number: 1403

Acquisition: Acquired in 1906 with funds provided by Carl Schaub-Stiftung

Status: Not on display

Texts

About the Acquisition

Dagmar Westberg was born in Hamburg but chose Frankfurt as her adopted home town. On her ninety-fourth birthday, she made a most generous gift to the Städel – the altar by the ‘Master of the von Groote Adoration’, which is regarded as one of the most important Netherlandish works of its time. Since as early as the year 2000, the Dagmar Westberg Foundation has, among other things, supported the Städel’s Collection of Prints and Drawings by financing new purchases. In addition to its commitment to the fine arts, the foundation also supports social projects in Frankfurt.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: The Adoration of the Magi

Painter

Master of the von Groote Adoration

Period Produced

16th century

School

Renaissance

Object Type

painting (artwork)

Physical Description: Oil on oak wood, finely curved at the top, reverse original, on all sides a right-angle cut to fit the groove of the frame

Material

oak wood

Technique

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Bezeichnet auf dem Hut des mittleren Königs: VENODA CE

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Old Masters 1300 - 1800

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: Acquired in 1906 with funds provided by Carl Schaub-Stiftung

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Main Motif

Persons Shown

Illustrated Passage

Bibel, Neues Testament, Matthäus 2,1-11

Iconclass

Primary

73B57 adoration of the kings: the Wise Men present their gifts to the Christ-child (gold, frankincense and myrrh)
11F4222 Mary sitting or enthroned, the Christ-child sitting on her knee (Christ-child to Mary's left)

Secondary