The Adoration of the Magi

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Adoration of the*, a captivating 16th-century print the Metropolitan Museum of Art Drawings and Prints collection. Created around 1530–1561, this engraving and etching is attributed to Battista Franco, the enigmatic Monogrammist 9, or Marco Angolo Moro—reflecting the collaborative and sometimes uncertain world of Renaissance print workshops. The scene vividly captures the biblical moment when the three Wise Men present gifts to the infant Jesus, surrounded men, camels, horses, and architectural elements that evoke a grand, exotic procession. Masterfully executed in intaglio techniques—engraving for precise lines and etching for fluid, expressive strokes—this large plate (11 5/8 x 17 3/8 in.) allowed for detailed reproductions of religious narratives. Prints like this were revolutionary, making high art accessible beyond elite patrons and spreading devotional imagery across Europe during the Reformation era. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1953, it exemplifies the cultural devotion to the Magi story, symbolizing faith, kingship, and journey. Visitors, imagine the press's hum bringing this sacred gathering to life— a testament to printmaking's enduring power.

About the Artist

Battista Franco|Monogrammist 9|Marco Angolo del Moro · 1510–1561

Battista Franco, known as il Semolei, was born in Venice around 1510, though his career unfolded largely in Rome and at the courts of central and northern Italy. He came to Rome in his twenties and immediately fell under two powerful spells: the inexhaustible riches of classical antiquity and the overwhelming presence of Michelangelo. Franco spent years making drawings after ancient sculptures and...