Adoration of the Magi

Medieval painters often gave the three kings the three ages of a man's life, and this painter, working around Vienna in the 1440s, follows the rule closely. The oldest, white-haired and long-bearded, kneels in a red cloak with an ermine collar. He has set his crown on the ground in front and holds up an open box of gold coins, while the Child on Mary's lap stretches a hand toward him. Spurs are still strapped to the old king's shoes. Behind him stands a full-bearded king in the middle of life, and beside him a beardless young man who wears his crown over a white turban and a green robe patterned with lilies. Joseph looks on from behind a low wall, an ox lies at the bottom corner, and the stable's thatched roof is full of holes against the gold sky.