Picture Talk: The Adoration of the Magi (Lydia's Grade Eight)

Dürer's Adoration of the Magi

Step 1.-- What do you know about Albrecht Dürer? ("Albrecht Dürer was a German painter with far reaching influence whose travels through Europe, including Italy and the Netherlands, gave him prominent success in printmaking and engraving. Renowned as one of the best artists of old master prints; his works were intensely religious and iconic." Virtual Uffizi)

Step 2.-- History of the picture.
The Adoration of the Magi is a 1504 oil on wood painting by Albrecht Dürer. It was commissioned by Frederick the Wise for the altar of the Schlosskirche in Wittenberg, the same place that Martin Luther would nail his theses to the door thirteen years later (and where Luther would be buried).  It is considered one of Dürer's best and most important works from the period between his first and second trips to Italy (1494-5 and 1505). It is no longer in the church, because a century later it was given to the Holy Roman Emperor for the imperial art collection in Vienna, and later it was put in the Uffizi gallery in Florence.
.
Step 3.--Studying the picture for several minutes, then describing it. (Impressions of the weather? What sorts of colours? How are people clothed? What is the baby doing? What is the servant doing? Is there anyone missing from the picture? Placement of the people, anything unusual? What geometric shape does their placement form?)  One funny note: one of the Magi is painted to look like the artist.

Step 4.--A few thoughts:  In 1494/1495, Albrecht Dürer spent time in Italy, and this painting reflects both the Northern (German, Dutch style) attention to detail and a "typically Italian perspective."  It also shows how Dürer was using some of the colours that he had seen used by painters in Venice such as Mantegna and Bellini. It is considered his first masterpiece.

Step 5.--Can you draw the chief lines of the composition?

Adapted from original notes by K.M. Claxton.

From old shoes to David's nose: what to make in clay (Parents' Review Volume Two)

From "A First Lesson in Modelling," by Mrs. F. Steinthal.  The Parents' Review, Volume 2, 1891/92, pg. 290-292.  Mrs. Steinthal explains how to begin modelling lessons by having the child copy a younger sibling's small shoe.  Then one can go on to grander things...

The pupil must remember that the shoe is not new, and as he must always be very truthful if he works for Madame Art, he must turn up the toes, and put in two or three little creases baby has made with creeping, so that mother will know, at once, that it is a portrait of her dear little baby's shoe, and will give the artist a kiss for it. Now he has only to make a very little roll to go round the top, and smooth the sides with his thumbs, keeping them for this purpose wet, by rubbing them on a wet sponge, and the shoe is ready. Cut it off the board with a piece of string held in both hands, and let it dry. If a brick kiln is near send it there to bake, or cook will perhaps let it stand in a very hot oven, and as the shoe is small it may be made hard enough to hold water and flowers....

If the little artist shows a natural aptitude for modelling, and a pleasure in his work, boots, dolls' cradles, dolls' pumps, horses, and all kinds of toys might be copied. After this it would be wise to begin more serious work. For this I would recommend in order, David's nose, eye, and mouth, by Michael Angelo, casts of which can be obtained in the south from Brucciani, Covent Garden, and in the North from Alberti, 1, Oxford Road, Manchester. Both these firms sell excellent models of animals' heads, 6d. each, which are a great joy and delight to boys and girls.