The adoration of the Magi

Depictions of events surrounding the birth of the Christ child were extremely popular in the 17th century. The adoration of Christ by the three kings was a particularly loved theme. The kings serve as multiple symbols: the three ages of man, the three races of humanity and the world’s three then known continents. Melchior, with his white skin, represents Europe; the brown Balthazar, Asia and Caspar, depicted as a Moor, Africa. The symbolism is meant to illustrate that Christ is revealed to all humanity, young and old, and from every corner of the earth.