The Christian Bible tells us that wise men, or Magi, from the east came to pay their respects to the newborn King of the Jews, an episode known as the Adoration of the Magi. The birth of Jesus Christ, the Christian savior, was big news for the ancient world.

Italian renaissance artist Gentile da Fabriano depicts this scene in an opulent altarpiece made for the richest man in Florence, Pala Strozzi. This video explores this work of art, known as the Strozzi Altarpiece, and the meaning of the subject it depicts.

CHAPTERS

0:11 Three wise men visit the infant Jesus

0:21 Who is Jesus Christ?

0:27 What is the Adoration of the Magi?

0:34 The story from the Bible

0:50 Gentile da Fabriano’s altarpiece

0:54 The Magi's journey begins

0:57 The Magi stop at the Palace of Herod

1:15 The Magi bring gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh

1:55 Who are the Magi?

2:30 The Magi’s spectacular clothing and massive retinues

2:58 Camels, leopards, monkeys and lions

3:10 Magi as popular subjects in Christian art

3:26 Pala Strozzi, the man who paid for the altarpiece

Check out our entire glossary of art history: https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history