The Adoration of the Kings
About this artwork
The Holy Family, at the left of Bassano's richly coloured work, acknowledges the visiting kings and their gifts. The central figure in the painting, however, is the king in the striped doublet. He may be identified as a portrait of the painting's patron, Giacomo Ghisi. The two page-boys behind him may also be portraits of his sons. Bassano's interest in complex foreshortened poses is evident in the densely packed group, especially in the figures and animals seen from behind. Many details were based on his previous compositions and on his studies from nature, although the ruined architecture is adapted from a woodcut by Dürer.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Jacopo Bassano (Jacopo dal Ponte)Italian (about 1510 - 1592)
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title:The Adoration of the Kings
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date created:Early 1540s
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:183.00 x 235.00 cm; Framed: 219.00 x 272.50 x 11.00 cm / 69.00 kg
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased by the Royal Scottish Academy 1856; transferred to the National Gallery of Scotland 1910
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accession number:NG 100
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
Jacopo Bassano (Jacopo dal Ponte)
Jacopo Bassano (Jacopo dal Ponte)
Jacopo dal Ponte was named Bassano after his native town of Bassano del Grappa, near Venice. Born into a family of painters he received his initial training from his father and then studied in Venice. He became close friends with Tintoretto and Veronese. He returned to Bassano and ran the family...