The Adoration of the Magi

The Adoration of the Magi

Title

The Adoration of the Magi

[cda 2022]

Painting on wood

Medium

Painting on wood

[Lempertz online database, accessed 24.03.2022]

This depiction of the Adoration of the Magi shows the Virgin at the centre of the image seated in front of a wall, holding the infant Christ on her lap sitting. They are covered by a stable roof and flanked either side by two of the kings. The third

This depiction of the Adoration of the Magi shows the Virgin at the centre of the image seated in front of a wall, holding the infant Christ on her lap sitting. They are covered by a stable roof and flanked either side by two of the kings. The third and eldest of the kings kneels bareheaded in the foreground. He kisses Christ’s right hand and in turn the infant blesses him with his other hand. A hill fortress is visible on the horizon in the far distant background to the right.

[cda 2022]

Attributions
Heinrich Vogtherr
Monogrammist HS

Attributions

Heinrich Vogtherr

[Lempertz online database, accessed 24.03.2022]

Monogrammist HS

[Henricus Satrapitanus(?), most probably Heinrich Vogtherr d. Ä.; Blumenroth, Heydenreich, examination report, 28.09.2021]

Production date
1518

Production date

1518

[dated]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 49 x 38.3 x 0.5 cm

Dimensions

Signature / Dating

Dated on a stone slab at the bottom right: '1518', in black paint; the artist's monogram 'HS' has been applied in black paint to the side of the stone slab on the left.

Signature / Dating

  • Dated on a stone slab at the bottom right: '1518', in black paint; the artist's monogram 'HS' has been applied in black paint to the side of the stone slab on the left.

Inscriptions and Labels

At the bottom right on the lower stone slab there is a pictogram in black paint of an upright …

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

  • At the bottom right on the lower stone slab there is a pictogram in black paint of an upright human figure with a staff. A similar pictogram was identified on 'Christ and the Adulteress' in the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum - Fondation Corboud, Cologne [DE_WRMK_WRM530].

  • [Blumenroth, Heydenreich, unpublished examination report, 28.09.2021]

Stamps, Seals, Labels:

  • On the cradle: 'GPA3', '2/31', '59/21', 'H 13/1', '1277' and 'Cranach d. ält.'.

Owner
Private Collection
Repository
Private Collection
CDA ID
PRIVATE_NONE-P529
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P529/

Provenance

Research History / Discussion

This painting is also signed with the initials ‘HS’ like the Martyrdom of St Erasmus in Aschaffenburg [DE_BStGS_6275]. The initials stand for Henricus Satrapitanus, the name Vogtherr preferred to call himself. Moreover, a similar pictogram was identified on 'Christ and the Adulteress' in the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum - Fondation Corboud, Cologne [DE_WRMK_WRM530].

[Blumenroth, Heydenreich, unpublished examination report, 28.09.2021]

  • The Adoration of the Magi, 1518

Images

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Technical studies

28.09.2021Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography
  • UV-light photography
  • Stereomicroscopy
  • Instrumental material analysis

Support

The following methods of examination were employed: Infrared-reflectography (Osiris 900 - 1700 nm), XRF-analysis (Niton XLt), stereomicroscopy and UV-light.

The support is made of deciduous wood (not oak or beech, but possibly limewood).

Ground and Imprimatura

The panel has a white ground and a barbe has been retained on all four sides c. 0.6-1 cm from the edge of the panel.

Underdrawing

The infrared reflectogram shows an underdrawing in a fluid medium executed with a brush. The contours and the main details are outlined in a lively manner with some overlapping lines. Occasional areas of shadow are indicated with parallel hatching strokes.

Paint Layers and Gilding

Using XRF analysis the following elements were detected in the paint layers and after comparing the optical characteristics the following pigments were identified:

Green: Ca, Cu, Pb, Fe

Ca: chalk/ gypsum (?); Cu: green pigment containing copper; Pb: lead white; Fe: iron oxide/ochre

Yellow: Pb, Ca, Fe, Sn, Hg (Cu

Pb: lead white; Pb/ Sn: lead tin yellow Ca: chalk/ gypsum (?); Fe: iron oxide / ochre; Hg: vermillion

White: Pb, Ca, Fe, Mn, (Cu/Zn)

Pb: lead white; Ca: chalk/ gypsum (?); Fe/ Mn: iron oxide/ ochre; Zn?: retouching?

Blue: Ca, Pb, Cu, Fe, Sn, Sr, Zn

Ca: chalk/ gypsum (?); Pb: lead white; Pb/ Sn: lead tin yellow; Cu: blue pigment containing copper; Fe: iron oxide/ ochre; Zn: retouching? zinc white

Red: Ca, Pb, Hg, Fe, C

Ca: chalk/ gypsum (?); Pb: lead white; Hg: vermilion; Fe: iron oxide/ ochre; Cu: siccative? blue/green pigment containing copper?

The following pigments were identified in the paint layers: lead white, lead tin yellow, vermilion, iron oxide as well as blue and greeen pigments containing copper.

Small amounts of zinc were also detected. This could be a zinc white used for retouching.

The paint was applied with a brush in a number of layers. The white cloud at the top left was textured with either a finger or the palm of a hand.

[Blumenroth, Heydenreich, unpublished examination report, 28.09.2021]

Condition Reports

Date28.09.2021

Support:

The panel is in a stable condition. There are numerous vertical splits in the wooden support. It has been thinned and cradled. Open inactive worm channels are visible on the reverse.

Ground:

The righthand edge was reworked and covered with a brown glaze.

Paint Layers:

There are some retouchings on the surface.

[Heydenreich, Blumenroth, unpublished examination report, 29.09.2021]

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'The Adoration of the Magi', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P529/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'The Adoration of the Magi', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P529/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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