IB making art (or at least trying to)

Artist: Master of James IV of Scotland; probably Gerard Horenbout
Title: Manuscript Illumination with Adoration of the Magi
Date Created: ca. 1515-1520
Medium: Tempera, ink, and shell gold on parchment
Size: 16.5 cm x 11.7 cm

Period and Context: This piece was created in the south of the Netherlands, and was a page of a book of devotional prayers, sometime between 1515 and 1520. During this time period and in this region of Europe, Christianity was the most popular religion, and the vast majority of royal members and nobility identified as being some form of Christain. This being said, the importance of Christianity was being constantly reinforced as many churches feared a decrease in their power and influence.

Subject: Horenbout is depicting the journey of the Magi, or Three Kings, in this piece of artwork. In this journey, the Magi travel from their kingdoms to visit Jesus Christ where he was born. Three stages of their journey can be seen in the foreground, midground, and background. The foreground depicts the scene of these Three Kings meeting Jesus Christ and Mary while presenting their gifts to the baby. In the midground, and in the bottom third of the painting, the Three Kings are shown meeting King Herold. The part of the Magi's journey that consisted of traveling on horseback through different lands and kingdoms is illustrated in the background, with the long line of men on horseback facing away from the audience, traveling to a far-off distance.

Styles and Techniques: Honrenbout used many techniques in this piece, including the use of vibrant and specific colors and the position of select scenes. When glancing at this painting, one key element that draws an audience member in is the vibrant and bold colors of this work. This is very purposeful, as the range and brightness of the colors are meant to symbolize the richness and fullness of a Christain life. During this time period, only nobility could afford to wear such bright colors, and since these colors were associated with wealth, it was implied that Christianity was both the religion of nobility and one that guaranteed a rich life or rich afterlife in heaven.

The center and focus of this work is the scene where the Magi meet Jesus Christ and his mother Mary. By having this scene in the foreground, Horenbout is implying that it is the most important part of, and the highlight of, the Magis' journey. In addition to this, Horenbout also strategically placed this scene above the scene where the Three Kings meet Herold to show how religion and religious figures, particularly Jesus Christ, are more important than any members of royalty.

Significance: This time period faced similar struggles to those Shakespear alludes to in Macbeth. These include people questioning the supernatural and whether fate or free will was more prevalent. When looking at this,  the painting's importance becomes more clear. Horenbout was trying to show people and nobility that fate and Christianity were still in power and offered the best life to their followers, during a time in which people questioned the role religion played in their lives.

Also, Horenbout's use of the concept of the Great Chaing of Being in this work of art comes to light when examining the time period in which it was created. At first, it might seem like the journey of the Magi is just a story being told in this work, but I believe that Horenbout purposefully chose to depict a journey to reinforce the idea that everything is connected. This is because just like a journey, the Great Chain of Being operates under the idea that one mistake can affect everything.