Hispano-Flemish school of the 18th century.

Hispano-Flemish school of the 18th century.
"Adoration of the Magi".
Oil on canvas.
Relined.
Measurements: 70 x 70 cm; 80 x 79 cm (frame).

Painting of Hispano-Flemish school of the XVIII century, of what the qualities printed to the sumptuous clothes give account, as well as the rich choreography that compose the variety of characters characterized with ingenious naturalism. The vivid agitation of the figures and the arch of the background opening towards a wide sky that emanates its own light, recalls the solutions applied by Rubens in the same subject (canvas preserved in the Prado Museum). As in the Flemish master's painting, a clear night illuminates the scene and the light seems to emanate from the bodies, especially from the body of Jesus, Mary and the kneeling King Melchior. But the rest of the characters also have a personality of their own. Enraptured, they carry myrrh and incense. Their cloaks shine like satin and fine silk, as do the soldiers' helmets. A great variety of human types come to Bethlehem. This painting shows a remarkable attention to detail, in the handling of the hallmarks of light and in the varied spectrum of facial expressions. In this canvas we see a theme very repeated throughout the History of Art, and that during the Andalusian baroque period knew a remarkable boom. The humanity that permeates the scene made the faithful identify with it, an intention that would characterize Spanish religious art from the Counter-Reformation onwards.