The Adoration of the Magi (c. 1624) by Peter Paul Rubens - Public Domain Catholic Painting

The Adoration of the Magi (c. 1624) is an oil on canvas painting by Peter Paul Rubens, measuring 218 cm by 280 cm^[1]. It was commissioned by Matthæus Yrsselius, abbot of St. Michael's Abbey, Antwerp, and paid for in two installments of 750 guilders each in 1624 and 1626^[1]. The Virgin Mary is thought to have been modeled on Rubens' first wife Isabella Brant^[1]. It is now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon^[2] and was probably commissioned for a private collection rather than as an altarpiece^[2]. The central figure is one of the Magi, kneeling before Jesus, resting on a pillow^[3]. The wise man is dressed like a priest and holds a censer as if he were celebrating^[3].

Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) was a prolific Flemish Baroque painter^[1][2], known for his exuberant style^[3][1]. He produced altarpieces, portraits, landscapes and history paintings of mythological and allegorical subjects^[4], and began his career at 13 in Antwerp^[5].