The Adoration of the Magi

Fra Bartolomeo (Bartolomeo di Paolo del Fattorino)

ca. 1500 · Pen and brown ink, over traces of black chalk · Drawings and Prints

In this early drawing by the artist, the Holy Family appears on a raised platform: the seated Virgin holds the blessing Christ Child on her knee and the pensive Saint Joseph stands at left. The Magi are grouped at the foot of the steps leading to the platform. On the horizon appear more knights, two watching shepherds are seen on the hill at left, and further spectators are perched on the top of a building that is lightly indicated at upper right. Fra Bartolomeo's composition was inspired by portrayals of the Adoration of the Magi made by Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli, all characterized by a similar pyramidal grouping. The same composition was studied by the artist in a drawing in the Uffizi, Florence (inv. 452 E) and although this ambitious scene was never brought to completion as a painting, Bartolomeo's design was later reused with slight modifications by his follower Giovanni Antonio Sogliani for a panel now in Memphis (Brooks Museum of Art inv. 64.19, where it is attributed to Antonio di Donnino del Mazziere).

Artist

Fra Bartolomeo (Bartolomeo di Paolo del Fattorino)

Date

ca. 1500

Medium

Pen and brown ink, over traces of black chalk

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Bequest of Walter C. Baker, 1971