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Iconographical Analysis: di Nardo, “Adoration of the Magi” The painting “Adoration of the Magi” by di Nardo portrays the three Magi approaching he baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary. ... When comparing the painting to the text in the Bible that describes the same meeting of the Magi with the baby Jesus and Mary, there are several differences. ... First, in the Bible, the Magi are referred to as, chief priests and teachers of the law. ... In fact, in di Nardo’s depiction, all of the Magi are wearing crowns, showing this misunderstanding. Another thing that is assumed by di Nardo in his painting, as well as by popular culture is that there were three Magi. There is nothing mentioned in Matthew 2:1 – 2:12 that makes reference to there being exactly three Magi. What I noticed that might have lead to this misconception, however, is that the Magi brought gifts of “gold, incense and myrrh.” This is the only thing that I saw that could have lead to the belief that there were three Magi – one Magus for each gift. ... There is no mention of anyone in the bible besides Jesus, Mary and the Magi. ... Also, the gifts that the Magi are holding in the painting by di Nardo, are all the same and look as though they are gold, rather than gold, incense and myrrh. ... This goes along with the misrepresentation of the Magi as kings or Wise Men. ... The Bible simply states that the Magi “saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. ... Another outstanding difference between the Bible and di Nardo’s depiction of the story is that when the Magi go to pay respects to Jesus, he, Mary and Joseph are living in a house at that time.
Approximate Word count = 1309
Approximate Pages = 5.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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