Cleveland Museum of Art

Magus from an Adoration Group

Date

c. 1460–1475

Medium

polychromed limestone

Culture

France, possibly Champagne, 15th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This sculpture represents one of the three Magi or kings who witnessed the birth of Jesus. The Magi are identified as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar and are typically shown in art bearing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Joseph is often present in these scenes as are shepherds.The single figure shown here was originally part of a sculptural group with many figures. He is shown holding an ornate receptacle with lid. Other figures from the group are not known to have survived, and which Magus the sculpture was intended to represent cannot be clearly established.

The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.