The Adoration of the Christ Child
The Met
Artist: Jan Joest of Kalkar(Netherlandish, active ca. 1515)
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on wood
Dimensions: Overall 41 x 28 1/4 in. (104.1 x 71.8 cm); painted surface 41 x 27 5/8 in. (104.1 x 70.2 cm)
Credit Line: The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection, 1982
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
An infant emitting light, surrounded by a woman, a bearded man, and winged figures
Detailed Description
The vertical rectangular painting depicts a crowded scene with multiple figures gathered around a central light source. In the lower center, a naked infant lies in a simple wooden manger, emitting a bright glow that illuminates the surrounding figures. To the left of the manger, a young woman kneels, dressed in a flowing dark blue robe and a white veil, her long, light brown hair visible. Her hands are gently extended towards the infant. To the right, an angel kneels, clad in a dark blue robe, with hands clasped together, gazing at the infant. Behind this angel, another angel with large, dark, feathered wings stands, wearing a richly patterned gold and red garment. Behind the manger, several more figures are visible. A central angel with golden hair and a red robe stands with hands clasped together, looking down. Other angels with similar golden hair and varying robes also peer towards the infant. On the far left, an older, bearded man stands, dressed in a dark cloak over a red tunic, holding a lit candle. He looks towards the center of the scene. In the upper right background, two figures, possibly shepherds, with dark, hooded garments, peer over a low, dark wall. One holds a long staff. Above the main group, in the upper portion of the painting, a cluster of small winged figures float on clouds. Some appear to be holding a white, flowing banner or scroll. Above them, a dark night sky with scattered stars is visible through an opening in a rustic structure. In the far background, a dark landscape with distant figures and structures can be seen under the night sky. The overall lighting is dramatic, with the central figures brightly illuminated against a predominantly dark background, highlighting the glow emanating from the infant. The color palette features deep reds, blues, and golds.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
