Now when Jesus was born there came wise men from the east, guided by
a star, which went before them till it stood over the place where the
young child was. . . . And when they were come into the house they
saw Jesus and Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him; and
when they had opened their treasures they presented unto him gifts;
gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matt. 2:9-11.)
_Hofmann, Plate 20,_ represents the arrival. The star stands above
the head of the child. The tradition is that one wise man came from
Europe, one from Asia and one from Africa (See _Ben-Hur_, Book I.);
hence Hofmann has represented one with the oriental turban, one with
a helmet having hanging side pieces like an Egyptian head dress, and
one with the simple band, the white hair and flowing beard of the
Druid.
[Illustration: Worship of the Magi.]
Plate 20. _Worship of the Magi._ H. Hofmann. 1824-
_Luini, Plate 21,_ following the same tradition, gives the African a
dark complexion.
[Illustration: Adoration of the Magi.]
Plate 21. _Adoration of the Magi._ Luini. 1460-1530.
_Maldini, Plate 23,_ also makes one of the Magi very dark, and adds
an earring as a barbaric touch. Moreover he gives each a crown (as
does Luini) because the Magi were supposed to have been Kings, in
fulfilment of Is. 60:3.
[Illustration: Adoration of the Kings.]
Plate 23. _Adoration of the Kings_. Battista Maldini. 1537-1590.
_Bonifazio, Plate 22,_ like Luini and Maldini, represents a large
company of servants to show the importance of the Magi, and perhaps
because of Is. 60:4-6.
[Illustration: Adoration of the Magi.]
Plate 22. _Adoration of the Magi._ Bonifazio Veronese. 1494-1563.