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Critique Of Adoration Of The Magi

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Art Critique: Adoration of the Magi (Del Lama Adoration)
Sandro Botticelli, Tempera, 1475 I have chosen to critique the “Adoration of the Magi” also known as “Del Lama Adoration,” a painting by Sandro Botticelli created in 1475 with tempera paint on a wooden panel. The painting is 111 cm × 134 cm and is currently located in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
This painting depicts the biblical story of the Three Wise Men and others coming to worship Christ at the Nativity. There is the holy family of Christ, Mary, and Joseph at the top. Also, one can see a star-like light that shines down on Christ. In the foreground, there are the three Magi; one in black kneeling to the left of Christ, one in red below Mary, and one to the right of her …show more content…

In addition to the emphasis on the holy family, everyone’s bodies are leaning towards or in some way turned towards Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This creates a path for the viewer’s eyes to follow up to the family. The ray of light that comes from the top of the painting also acts as a guideline for the viewer as it leads to the center of the painting where Jesus sits. Secondly, almost everyone is wearing the same colours, blue and pink. This creates the principle of pattern, causing unity within the painting. There is a sense of symmetrical balance as well. There are attendants on both sides of the holy family who is centered, and the Three Magi are on the left, underneath and to the right of Mary. On the contrary, there is also a sense of asymmetrical balance because of the peacock on a side of the painting. It causes the right side to look heavy, but this excess weight is evened out because of the ruins in the background. Moreover, the muted and whitewashed colours of the background contrast with the vibrant and bold colours of the midground and foreground. This causes a sense of perspective as the dullness makes the background look like it is far away. The value of the ruins in the background creates a sense of depth adding to the sense of perspective. Also, the texture in the bricks of the ruins causes the painting to look more interesting as it offers the viewer with more variety while looking at the painting. One of this

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