Painting of the Day: “The Adoration of the Kings,” by Jan Gossaert, 1510-1515

Adoration of the Kings
Jan Gossaert, 1510-1515
The National Gallery, London

Jan Gossaert, also known as “Mabuse,” was one of the first Sixteenth Century Flemish painters to travel from Flanders to Italy in order to study the work of Italian Renaissance painters. He employed the methods that he learned from the Italians to produce stunning, monumental paintings upon returning to his homeland.


This tremendous painting entitled The Adoration of the Kings dates between 1510 and 1515 and was painted as an altarpiece for the Lady Chapel at St. Adrian’s at Grammont which is near Brussels in present-day Belgium. As was typical of Italian paintings of the era, Graesart has included a contemporary sitter into the composition. The figure of the king, Caspar, was modeled after Johannes de Broemer who was appointed Abbot of St. Adrian’s in 1506 and who most likely commissioned the painting.

The scene shows the Christ Child and the Holy Family being visited by the Magi. Above the Holy Family, the famed star shines brightly—symbolizing God, the Father. From the star, the Dove of the Holy Spirit, descends toward the Holy Family as throngs of angels hover above.

The painting has always been heralded for its magnificent colors and Gaesart’s ability to render realistic looking fabrics and textures. Today, the piece is housed in the National Gallery in London.