The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 21, 2025

Adoration of the Magi

1513

Lucas van Leyden

(Dutch, 1494–1533)
Netherlands, 16th century
engraving
Sheet: 30.4 x 43.3 cm (11 15/16 x 17 1/16 in.)
Charles W. Harkness Endowment Fund 1923.274
Catalogue raisonné: Hollstein X.89.37
Location: Not on view

Description

While the arrival of the Magi in the Mirror of Holiness, CMA 2005.145.36.b, is a fairly quiet affair, here the kings enter the holy birthplace with great fanfare, accompanied by a large retinue. A wide variety of costumes, poses, figural types, and facial expressions enhance the theatricality and visual interest of the scene. Particularly luxurious are the costumes of the Magi and the priceless gifts they have brought. Amid the noise and splendor, the infant Jesus is distinguished by the brilliant light that emanates from his head.
  • Alfred Morrison
    Gerstenberg
    Alfred Morrison; Gerstenberg
  • The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1925. Reproduced: p. 41 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1928. Reproduced: p. 50 archive.org
    Francis, Henry. "Recent Print Accessions by Lucas Van Leyden." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 22, no. 9 (November 1935): 142-145 Mentioned: p. 145 www.jstor.org
  • Prince Salim's Life of Christ (Manuscript Rotation) - Gallery 115. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (December 2, 2019-July 1, 2020).
    Promenades, Pageants, Processions, and Pilgrimages. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (August 25, 1981-January 3, 1982).
    Eight Masters of the Print. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (October 14, 1980-January 18, 1981).
    The Silver Jubilee Exhibition. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 23-September 28, 1941).
    Prints by Lucas Van Leyden and His Contemporaries. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 28-April 2, 1939).
    Seasonal Prints from the Museum Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 9, 1937-February 27, 1938).
    16th Century Prints from the Museum Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 4-29, 1935).
    Prints of the Fifteenth to Twentieth Century from the Museum Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (June 5-September 12, 1934).
    Miscellaneous Prints and Drawings from the Museum Collections. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (June 23-October 23, 1924).
  • {{cite web|title=Adoration of the Magi|url=false|author=Lucas van Leyden|year=1513|access-date=21 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1923.274