Benozzo Gozzoli (c. 1421–1497) was a renowned Italian Renaissance painter from Florence, celebrated for his narrative style infused with charm and elegance. Trained by masters Lorenzo Ghiberti and Fra Angelico, Gozzoli developed a unique artistic voice that combined meticulous attention to detail with the ornamental richness of the International Gothic style.
He is best known for his magnificent murals in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, particularly the Chapel of the Magi. These frescoes, characterized by their vibrant processions and festive scenes, are masterpieces of harmonious decoration and enchanting beauty. Today, we present the fragment of the first sequence of the frescoes, with the youngest king.
On the horizon, the retinue descends from the mountains, where a small medieval fortress—possibly Jerusalem, the first stop of the Three Kings—stands at the highest point. The young king, gazing across to the elder king on the opposite wall, was once thought to represent Lorenzo de' Medici, who ordered the frescoes. This is unlikely, however, as Lorenzo was only ten years old when the frescoes were created. Gozzoli also included a self-portrait among the densely packed figures of the retinue, identifiable by the inscription on his red cap. Recent research has identified two youths ahead of Gozzoli as Lorenzo and Giuliano Medici. By portraying themselves in the procession of the Three Kings, the Medici family symbolically asserted their political and financial dominance. Their placement at the end of the youngest king’s retinue, rather than alongside the elder king nearer the goal, reflects a calculated humility, underscoring their role as patrons while subtly highlighting their influence within the narrative.
P.S. Today the Christian world celebrates Three Kings Day (Epiphany), which commemorates the Biblical journey of the magi— also known as the three wise men—to visit the infant Jesus. They presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We also have some amazing gifts for you! A 25% discount on ALL our online courses with unlimited access to the platform! :) If you're as fascinated by the Medici's world of Renaissance Florence as I am, you should enroll in our comprehensive The Art of the Renaissance Florence course.
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