The Renaissance is known as a period in European civilization that was to change everything from the Middle Ages to modern-day life. The official meaning of the Renaissance is the rebirth of Europe in many aspects such as culture, art, politics, and economics. The Renaissance started around the 14th century to around the 17th century, and today I want to introduce a popular artwork that was created during the Renaissance, The Adoration of the Magi.

The Adoration of the Magi is a painting that was done by Sandro Botticelli in 1475 in Florence, Italy. The Adoration of the Magi is now located in the Santa Maria Novella church. Sandro Botticelli is an Italian painter who was well known for his art such as La Primavera and The Birth of Venus. 

The Adoration of the Magi was requested by an associate of the De Medici family Gaspare Di Zanobi Del Lama. Sandro Botticelli was requested to paint the three wise men or Magis arriving at the birth of Jesus. In the painting, you can see that Mary and Jesus are placed on a big rock below a broken-down Roman ruin. Many artists when asked to paint something about the birth of Jesus and the magi used well-made polished structures. Sandro Botticelli was stating that Christianity should be based and processed on things that are sturdier than Rome. As for the Magis, Botticelli put three of them around Mary and Jesus to show the magi’s humbleness to Jesus and his family. The three magi represented in the painting are important members of the Medici family: Cosimo De Medici (Italian banker), Piero Di Cosimo De Medici (Who was a facto ruler of Florence once), and Giovanni Di Bicci De Medici (Italian banker). Then he included other important figures from Florence including the requester of this painting and himself.

This artwork has been created during the Renaissance which means it’s more likely to have more accurate information. Since Sandro Botticelli was a Renaissance painter, he would’ve had more ideas and information about the Magis and Jesus. 

It is intriguing how text isn’t the only way to represent history, artifacts and artworks are profound resources that can be utilized to learn more about our history. 

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