After Joos van Cleve, 'The Adoration of the Kings', probably 1525-50

A man kneels before the Virgin Mary and infant Christ, and kisses the child’s hand – this is the Adoration of the Kings, taking place in the ruins of a palace. Saint Joseph, his luggage on a stick over his shoulder, pushes his hat back on his forehead. The wings of this triptych are now lost, but presumably showed the other two kings.

It’s a fairly accurate version of the centre panel of the Adoration of the Kings (Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples) attributed to Joos van Cleve and painted in about 1525. It’s one of several surviving versions of this picture, some closer to the original than others, and seems to be the work of two artists. The painter of the figures followed the Naples Adoration quite closely, down to the colours of the clothes. But the landscape doesn‘t follow Joos’ design; it seems to be a later version, by artists who were not necessarily working in Joos' workshop.

The panel has suffered considerably over the centuries. Not only has it lost its outer wings, but it has been cut down at three edges. The faces of Christ, Joseph and the king are largely reconstructions, while other faces have been extensively retouched; the drapery on Christ’s legs has been painted over. The surface of the painting is obscured by dirt and discoloured varnishes.