We Three Kings

         I’m continuing the Christmas story in block prints today, by focussing on a chapter of the story that comes after that first Christmas night.  The arrival of the Three Kings (aka Wise Men, aka Magi) traditionally is considered to be the Twelfth Night of Christmas, or Epiphany, on January 5 or 6.  (Of course the confusion of calendars and denominations means there are multiple interpretations of exactly when that date should fall.)  This means that I shouldn’t really be celebrating the Three Kings yet at all, but for me they’re simply all part of the Christmas story, and if you look at the collection of Christmas block prints I shared in past years (you can find all the links in the previous post), there are quite a few that feature these Wise Men from the East.  This year, however, I’m giving them their own post, and I’ve got a few  block prints of them for you today.

        First is a classic, a woodcut by Albrecht Dürer, in which the three magnificently attired kings show up with their gifts at the ruined stable that’s hardly even a porch.  Joseph looks pretty sullen and suspicious about this, but Mary is being more gracious.  My favorite thing about this one is how the baby Jesus is grabbing for gold as if it were candy!  (At only 12 days old he shouldn’t be grabbing for much of anything at all, but he was a precocious child in many ways.)

        The next piece is cropped tightly in on the people.  The kings have removed their crowns, but only the one in the foreground is really focussed on the baby.  The others seem to be watching Mary instead.  I really like all their faces.  As for Mary, however, she looks a lot more zoned out than I would expect.  Admittedly she may be pretty exhausted by her newborn, but I know I would have been a lot more interested if three astronomer kings from foreign lands had unexpectedly shown up to pay homage to my offspring!

        The third piece is quite simple, but I find it very pleasing.  One of the kings has removed his crown as he kneels before Jesus, and seems almost to be kissing his feet.  Above, the star is whizzing up the sky, and another of the wise men is watching it, perhaps just confirming the address.  Despite the relative roughness of the piece, the faces are all pleasant.  Mary is serene, and the baby has the hint of a smile.

        I include one more little bonus detail from a painting by Hieronymus Bosch.  This king is very handsome, not to mention elaborately dressed, but what caught my eye is that it looks like he’s brought his pet dragonling to the party!  Closer inspection leads me to believe that this is more likely a parrot or similar bird, but needless to say I like the dragon interpretation better!

        Whether Jesus was presented with gold, candy, or dragons, the real lesson here is to be willing to see the bright stars, follow the signs, and acknowledge the miracles of love that may manifest in the world.

[Pictures: The Adoration of the Magi, woodcut by Albrecht Dürer, 1511 (Image from The Met);

The Adoration of the Magi, woodcut by anonymous copying one by the workshop of Lucas van Leydan, ca. 1515 (Image from Philadelphia Museum of Art);

Adoration of the Magi, woodcut from Legenda Sanctorum trium regum by Johannes Hildesheimensis, 1490 (Image from The Met);

Detail from Triptych of the Adoration of the Magi, oil on panel by Hieronymus Bosch, ca. 1494 (Image from Museo del Prado).]