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The Adoration of the Magi with a Donor

Image credit: The Bowes Museum

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Da Pavia was fascinated by classical architecture and often depicted episodes from the Bible in lavish architectural settings. Here da Pavia has set the nativity scene not in a simple stable but in a ruined building of magnificent proportions. He demonstrates his understanding of Classical architecture, decorating the capital (adornment on top of the column shaft) with the acanthus, a popular botanical motif. The spiral design which he includes is known as a helix. Da Pavia leaves the design of the astragal (which links the capital to the column) as plain moulding. The story of the nativity is extremely popular in paintings of the period. Da Pavia has chosen to illustrate the kings giving their gifts to Jesus. Originally, Magi were astrologers at the Persian court.

The Bowes Museum

Barnard Castle

Title

The Adoration of the Magi with a Donor

Date

c.1546–1550

Medium

oil & tempera on panel

Measurements

H 258.3 x W 209.5 cm

Accession number

B.M.31

Acquisition method

bequeathed by the Founders, 1885

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The Bowes Museum

Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 8NP England

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