Following a talk on the Black Magus: Power and Magnificence in Renaissance Europe a response to Rosa-Johan Uddoh’s monumental procession of Black Magi seen in Breaking Point part of Practice Makes Perfect installation I was asked to name my favourite Adoration I found I couldn’t it! It had be my favourite three Adorations, each a favourite for different reasons. Number ONE Black Magus The Adoration from the V&A’s collection will always be my favourite as it was the one that I began this journey with. It has all the Black Magus attributes – last in line, exotic dress, flamboyant poise and a gold earring. In addition, the four individual fleur-de-lis reflect the creative freedom of Gothic architect - that Gothic freedom is very British - in contrast to the constraints of classic architecture seen in the exact replication of columns. Number TWO Black Magus Paulo Veronese’s 1578 Adoration at the National Gallery its Black Magus has all four attributes of the Black Magus in a large wonderfully rich colourful setting. I love how Veronese uses complementary colours to create a lively, vibrant image, minded of the Impressionism seen in Monet’s Impressionism Sunrise. Number THREE Black Magus
This Adoration by the wonderfully enigmatic Netherlandish painter Hieronymus Bosch from the Met in New York I first came across it in Rosa's work. And even surrounded by all those Black Magi Bosch’s stood out. Demonstrating all the attributes of the Black Magus – the earring, the dress, the pose and his position. Bosch has him standing up right and haughty with his nose in the air with an arrogant distancing look and covered in, almost weighed down by gold. I love it!
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