Friday, January 5, 2024

The Magi travel the Long Silk Road to see the Newborn King

Benozzo Gozzoli (Italian early Renaissance painter, c 1421–1497) Scenes from the Procession of the Magi Young, Detail of the Young King on wall of Chapel, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence 1459-62

In Christianity, Epiphany refers to the moment that a person believes that Jesus is the son of God.  

To symbolize this, Western Christian churches generally celebrate Epiphany as the arrival of the 3 kings at the birthplace of Jesus (The Adoration of the Magi) 12 days after Christmas. Traditionally, Eastern Christian churches celebrated Epiphany (or Theophany) in conjunction with Christ's baptism by John the Baptist on January 19th.  Some Protestant churches celebrate Epiphany as an entire religious season, extending from Christmas Day until Ash Wednesday.

Benozzo Gozzoli (Italian early Renaissance painter,  c 1421–1497) Scenes from the Procession of the Magi,  Detail of the Middle King on South wall of Chapel, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence 1459-62

Benozzo Gozzoli (Italian early Renaissance painter,  c 1421–1497) Scenes from the Procession of the Magi, Detail of the  Old King on west wall of the Chapel, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence 1459-62

Benozzo Gozzoli (Italian early Renaissance painter,  c 1421–1497) Detail from the Procession of the Young King, Scenes from the Procession of the Magi Chapel, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence 1459-62

Benozzo Gozzoli (Italian early Renaissance painter,  c 1421–1497)  Detail from the Procession of the Middle King, Scenes from the Procession of the Magi Chapel, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence 1459-62

Benozzo Gozzoli (Italian early Renaissance painter,  c 1421–1497) Detail from the Procession of the Youngest King, Scenes from the Procession of the Magi Chapel, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence 1459-62

Benozzo Gozzoli (Italian early Renaissance painter,  c 1421–1497) Scenes from the Procession of the Magi Chapel, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence 1459-62