The Adoration of the Kings (Bruegel)

In the chronological sequence of Bruegel's work, this painting of 1564 marks an important departure as the first to be composed almost exclusively of large figures. The group of people, taken from Italian mannerist painters like Parmigianino, permits Bruegel to concentrate on individual faces, giving each a quite distinct, and sometimes grotesque, expression.[1]

This emphasis on the uniqueness of each figure, and Bruegel's lack of interest in depicting ideal beauty in the Italian manner, makes it clear that although borrowing an Italian compositional scheme, Bruegel is putting it to quite a different use. In this treatment, the painter's first purpose is to record the range and intensity of individual reactions to the sacred event.[2]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Adoration of the Kings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (National Gallery, London).

• The Adoration at the National Gallery
• Bosch Bruegel Society
• 99 works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder
• Complete list of paintings which includes all of the 100 proverbs from the painting, with explanation (in French).
• Creativity Brueghel laid the foundation of the Netherlands School
• The Magi in Mosaics, Paintings and Sculpture
• "The Three Wise Men in Paintings" (more than 300)
•  "Bruegel" . Encyclopedia Americana. 1920.

Below a series of images detailing Bruegel's painting:

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  Mary and Baby Jesus
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  Joseph and a figure whispering
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  One of the Kings
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  Group of figures