The Adoration of the Magi by Joseph van Bredael

Joseph van Bredael
1688-1739 | Flemish

The Adoration of the Magi

Oil on copper

Painted on copper and exhibiting an exquisite luminosity, this exceptional painting was composed by famed Flemish artist Joseph van Bredael. Entitled The Adoration of the Magi, van Bredael masterfully tells a timeless narrative in a single image, reinterpreting the biblical scene to be quintessentially Flemish in its presentation. Exceptionally detailed and virtuosic in its composition, the painting beckons the viewer closer to examine the fine brushwork and the expansive crowd gathering in the countryside. Building on the compositions of the famed Jan Brueghel the Elder, van Bredael forges his own path, bringing his distinctive luminous palette and deft brushwork to this work of art. 

Van Bredael’s The Adoration of the Magi depicts the biblical moment when the Magi present their gifts to the Christ child, as described in Matthew 2:11. Van Bredael’s composition injects new life into the time-honored tale of the three kings by placing the scene squarely in Flanders, rather than the distant lands of Bethlehem. While still centered around the illuminated figure of the infant Jesus sitting in his mother’s lap, the Magi are merely a trio of figures within the large Flemish community that gathers outside the rural barn. The distant cityscape, as well as the Magi’s richly colored and patterned robes and jewels, emphasize van Bredael’s skill as a genre painter in clearly articulating each and every detail with delicate brushwork.

A Flemish artist coming of age at the turn of the 18th century, Joseph van Bredael hails from a long line of painters. Upon moving to Paris in 1735, the artist became a member of the Académie Royale in the court of Louis, Duke of Orléans. Primarily working in landscapes and genre scenes, the highly referential artist drew from Flemish greats like Brueghel while incorporating distinctive personal touches — slender forms, light brushstrokes and a rich palette. In fact, van Bredael’s The Adoration of the Magi builds on Brueghel’s masterpiece of the same popular subject, held today at the Museum Mayer van den Bergh in Antwerp, yet maintains van Bredael’s singular style. As van Bredael signed his paintings “JB,” the same signature employed by Jan Brueghel I, many of his artworks were historically misidentified as works of the 17th-century master. Corrected attributions in recent decades have brought a burgeoning appreciation for Van Bredael’s technical prowess and meticulous eye for detail. Today, van Bredael is remembered for his talent and artistry in continuing the illustrious tradition of 17th century painting in Antwerp.

Late 17th/early 18th century

Copper: 9" high x 13 1/8" wide
Frame: 12 1/2" high x 16 3/4" wide x 1 1/2" deep

Provenance: Private collection
Private collection, Geneva, Switzerland
M.S. Rau, New Orleans