The Journey of the Magi
The Met
Artist: Sassetta (Stefano di Giovanni)(Italian, Siena or Cortona ca. 1400–1450 Siena)
Date: ca. 1433–35
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Tempera and gold on wood
Dimensions: 8 1/2 x 11 3/4 in. (21.6 x 29.8 cm)
Credit Line: Maitland F. Griggs Collection, Bequest of Maitland F. Griggs, 1943
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A procession of figures on horseback and foot ascends a snowy hill towards a distant castle
Detailed Description
A large procession of figures moves diagonally upwards from the lower left to the upper right across a landscape. The foreground is dominated by a light-colored, snow-covered hill that slopes steeply. A group of people, some on horseback and some on foot, ascend this slope. Their clothing features a variety of colors including reds, blues, pinks, browns, and whites, with many wearing hats or hoods. Three figures near the top of the procession, riding dark and light horses, have golden halos around their heads. Other horses are brown and black. In the lower left, a donkey carries a large basket filled with items, led by a figure in blue. A small brown dog walks alongside them. Another figure carries a flat, rectangular object on their head. On the snowy slope in the lower right, a prominent golden, multi-pointed star emits radiating lines, with a faint blue line extending vertically upwards from it. Two small birds are visible on the slope and one in flight. Behind the main slope, a large, brown hill rises, dotted with a few leafless trees. On the upper left portion of this hill, two deer-like animals are visible. In the mid-ground, a pinkish-red walled city or castle with multiple towers is situated on a distant hill. The sky above is a deep blue, gradually lightening towards the horizon, with several dark, bird-like shapes flying across it.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
