Salzburg Master, circa 1480–1490

The Adoration of the Magi,
oil and gold on panel, 135.5 x 63 cm, framed
Provenance:
Collection of Prof. Dr. Karl Buchner (1910–1981);
Collection of Dr. Schellerer, Bamberg;
Private collection, Munich

The present panel by an anonymous, late Gothic master from the Salzburg region depicts the Three Kings – Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar – present their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child. Melchior has dropped to his knees in adoration, his crown lies discarded by his side – a now obsolete relic, as he turns to recognise the King of the Jews. The Virgin Mary, on whose lap the Christ Child sits, observes the act, her hand raised in benediction. The painting is rich in decoration, not least the luxurious, fur-lined garments of the Kings. It is likely that the panel would have functioned as a side wing for an altarpiece that may have represented a scene from the cycle depicting the life of Christ or the life of the Virgin, as was common at the time.