The Rise of Humanism and the Dark Magi

The Adoration of the Magi,1510, by Hieronymus Bosch.

Photograph: DEA/G Dagli Orti/De Agostini/Getty Image

Balthasar in detail from The Epiphany

A Renaissance Review of the Dark Magi

Looking at the history of the many depictions of The Adoration of the Magi, from the Nativity story. We can put the puzzle pieces of the past together. I chose The Adoration of the Magi, by Hieronymus Bosch after searching further for the full view. I found a link to The Epiphany by Bosch from around 1500 BC. It has been in the Museo del Prado, Madrid since 1839. The story depicted has a Netherlandish backdrop of what farmland looked like in their present time. Only this painting has a more realistic model of what the King from Africa may have looked like centuries ago. This triptych alter piece was commissioned by a wealthy middle-class in the late 1400s. When the shutters are closed you can see a grisaille carved in shades of gray and pops of black robes and red hats. The grisaille depicts St. Gregory kneeling at the altar in front of the crucifix and angels dancing above. These oil painting panels give a deeper story to the story of Christ, giving true tribute to the Dark Magi. Adding color to the whitewashed depiction of the past.

The Renaissance Era brought the world out of the Dark Ages and onto the path of enlightenment with the rediscovery of classical literature and art. Humanism sprouted and trading was booming creating wealth and allowing exploration in the arts and science. Humanism began in Florence Italy, and traveled to Europe. With the rise of interest in ancient Roman and Greek scholarly pursuits, humanism was born with the belief in the dignity and worth of an individual. Arabic scholars preserved Greek knowledge leading to more opportunities for trade during the pursuit of reviving ancient knowledge that was preserved from the Middle Ages. Having a humanist perspective allowed one to think with a non-religious viewpoint and help develop the Reformation from the church and grow throughout the centuries with scientific revolutions and enlightenment.

During this revival of the arts, we begin to see the darkening of the third king in The Adorations of the Magi. I found a few good reads during my research on how reformation and humanism had an impact on the darkening of the magi from Africa. The Legacy of a Black King Who Visited Baby Jesus gives a perspective and representation of King Balthazar from the 5th century to the 15th century art reflects how the enslavement of Black Africans escalated in Europe during the Middle Ages. Another good perspective is The Blackening of Balthazar Epiphany and Race in the European Middle Ages. Using pictures from the past we are able to paint a better understanding as we piece together history in this current digital era. 

During the Renaissance painters began to portray the true color of the third magi. The paintings of the Adoration of the Magi by different painters reflect the changes in perspective. The Nativity story spread orally and northern Europe had not yet seen darker-skinned people till around the Middle Ages. It wasn't until around 500AD that the names of the wise men surfaced, from a Greek manuscript. Balthasar, Casper, and Melchior. As well as a text from a historian monk named Bede from northeast Europe who depicts Balthasar with dark skin color. Saint Bede The Venerable was considered a scholar of antiquities in the kingdom of Northumbria during the Middle Ages. 

We also have to take into consideration the influences of religion and politics as well as wealthy influencers who wanted recognition in the artworks they were commissioning. Families like the Medici were wealthy merchants and some were popes in the Roman Catholic church. 

Humanism began during the Italian Renaissance and spread to the North and continues to grow today. As a believer, I would love to have something like this on my home altar. There is an account in 1605 that this altarpiece was located in a monastery in Spain. I believe it belongs in the Museo in Madrid where it can continue to be preserved as a piece of world history. 

 

Works Cited

Saint Bede the Venerable. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede# 

The Blackening of Balthazar Epiphany and Race in the European Middle Ages. Dontay M. Givens. https://comment.org/the-blackening-of-balthazar/ January 5, 2023

Head Study for Balthazar https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/balthazar/

How Enslavement Evolved the Legacy of Black King Who Visited Baby Jesus

The story of King Balthazar. https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/how-enslavement-evolved-the-legacy-of-black-king-who-visited-baby-jesus-4f7a7f57c1b5 Kamna Kirti. October 10, 2020

Heinrich Bünting’s Map of Africa from Travel through Sacred Scripture, Magdeburg, Germany, 1597 (Courtesy of Dr. Oscar I. Norwich Collection of Maps of Africa and its Islands, 1486 – ca. 1865, David Rumsey Map Center, Stanford Libraries). https://smarthistory.org/images-african-kingship/

Northumbria. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northumbria

Myrrh mystery: how did Balthasar, one of the three kings, become black? Jonathan Jones

Mon 21 Dec 2020 06.48 EST. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/dec/21/christmas-cards-star-baby-jesus-myrrh-mystery-balthasar-three-kings-black-art

Art Elements

"Shoes" by Vincent Van Gough

Pairs, September-November 1886

    Can you imagine Vincent playing in mud puddles wearing these shoes he had gotten from a flea market? At the Van Gough Museum online you can browse Vincent's paintings and read back stories as well. Be transported to The van Gough Museum online and see what getting muddy with van Gough was like.

    This painting has left one of the longest impressions on me. It was about three years ago when I first was introduced to one of the lesser-known paintings of van Gough. It was critique day in Beginning Drawing. Anyone who has experienced placing your 18x24 still life drawing on the wall for examination, it's quite intimidating. One student's drawing of their combat boots reminded the professor of van Gough's painting of muddy boots. The critique paused as we explored the world of van Gough's painting. Just a pair of tattered muddy shoes making a bold statement with different shades of mud, creating lines forming a contrast with light and dark shades of gray around the black boots. You can almost see the mud dancing around the shape of the boots with lighter shades, giving contrast to the shadows cast by the light shining on the tops of the toes.

    It was my classmate's drawing of his combat boots that reminded me of my father. Who always made sure his black boots were shiny. He had passed away right before midterms and grief was cold that winter. Also, how did a drawing of a pair of clean, shiny boots make the instructor think of muddy shoes? Van Gough's painting shows vast amounts of texture and shading with the repetitions of abstract lines and brushstrokes. These elements bring life to the painting by outlining the shape of the boots with several shades of gray around the tattered black shoes. Matching my emotion, my first impression was how dreary! I knew life was hard during this era, and felt this painting created space for conversation. His texture from the oil paints and simple brushstrokes make a symphony of lines. This simple painting brought some solace to my dreary soul. As well as a visual aid for beginning drawing students as well.

After exploring the elements of Vincent's vivid painting, I value finding the joy of making the best of a muddy kind of day. What inspired the creative genius to buy a pair of gently used shoes at a flea market and dance in the mud? Although not understood during his time, Vincent van Gough has been inspirational throughout the times as we learn to embrace the hardships of life and keep dancing through life. Much like this painting here of muddy shoes. Notice how the warmer tones of gray swirl around the laces in the front of the painting and the darker laces on the other shoe, showing depth.

Even though Vincent was tormented by what we can guess to be a mental illness and other hardships, he looked for joy through the lenses of his paintings. Using contrasting colors like dark hues of blue against a Starry Night. You can see the joys of dancing in mud puddles with the contrasting grays and the shadows cast by the floppy tops of the worn-out shoes. By combining fun textures using lines and shading to form shape, depth, and dimension.  Van Gough shows us how to make the best out of life. 

I'm unsure when I will ever get to the Netherlands to see Vincent's elements come to life from his works of art. However, I was able to make it to Anchorage in the fall of 2022 for Beyond Van Gough and experienced the immersive exhibit. Going to the Van Gough museum in real life would be a dream come true! Now we can visit anytime online with the click of a mouse or tap on a screen. If only he could see what inspiration has evolved from his bold melodic lines upon layers of texture, forming a harmonious masterpiece to enjoy throughout the ages of time. (check out this clip of Dr.Who showing van Gough his work)

Works Cited

Van Gough Museum. “Shoes.” Van Gough Museum, https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/collection/s0011V1962. Feb 5,2024.

PBS News Hour. " Immersive Van Gogh exhibits paint a new way of experiencing art". PBS News Hour. https://youtu.be/kq4lf2rswEw?si=7DEG967oMjkTds7S. Feb 5, 2024.

Dr. Who. "Vincent Van Gogh Visits the Gallery, Vincent and the Doctor". Doctor Who. https://youtu.be/ubTJI_UphPk?si=gPth8F8XDzFhMYHY. Feb 5, 2024