Adoration of the Magi
Medium
Watercolor, over graphite, on ivory wove paper
Dimensions
23 × 31.4 cm (9 1/16 × 12 3/8 in.)
Classification
watercolor
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
114835
Art Historical Context
In the Prints and Drawings department of the Institute of Chicago, Bonacio de Pitati'sAdoration of the Magi (1827) captivates with its intimate scale—23 × 31.4 cm—and delicate execution in watercolor over graphite on ivory wove paper. classification as a watercolor highlights its transparency, a technique prized for evoking ethereal light and subtle color gradations on fine, smooth supports like ivory wove paper ideal for detailed preparatory studies or standalone works. The scene depicts the biblical visit of the three Magi to the infant Christ, a motif rich in Christian iconography symboliz...