course hero why is the camel in giotto's adoration of the magi not exactly realistic?

Giotto's Adoration of the Magi shows the portal of Bethlehem, Saint Joseph, the Virgin and child, the three wise men (the Magi), two camels, two pages, the archangel and what's believed to be Haley's comet. In keeping with previous iconography, of the three Magi one is old, one is middle aged, and one is younger

Giotto's Adoration of the Magi shows the portal of Bethlehem, Saint Joseph, the Virgin and child, the three wise men (the Magi), two camels, two pages, the archangel and what's believed to be Haley's comet. In keeping with previous iconography, of the three Magi one is old, one is middle aged, and one is younger.

Description of the Painting

Christians will be able to identify every item found within Giotto's Adoration of the Magi. We find the Kings themselves, worshipping the new born baby. They are of different ages, which was how they became depicted in western art from around the 10th century.

What Artistic Techniques did Giotto use in this Artwork?

Giotto would use tempera and fresco techniques within his career, but all of his work within the chapel derived from the latter. The artists would work as the plaster dried, and the reaction between the application and the plaster would create each artwork.

What is the Meaning of the Adoration of the Magi?

This theme is also sometimes known as the Adoration of the Kings. The Bible, Matthew 2:11 reveals that, "On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

How Many Depictions of the Adoration of the Magi did Giotto Paint?

Giotto di Bondone is known to have produced two different versions of the Adoration of the Magi. The item featured here was a part of the cycle of paintings for the Scrovegni Chapel, but he also produced another version between 1320 and 1325 which can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Where can this Painting be found Today?

The Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy hosts this artwork, alongside a large number of other pieces by Giotto di Bondone. The Adoration of the Magi is to specifically be found on the middle tier of the south wall. It sits alongside The Nativity of Jesus, The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, The Flight into Egypt and The Massacre of the Innocents.

What other Paintings can be found in the Scrovegni Chapel?

The chapel was recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, mainly due to the beauty and significance of the fresco cycle found within this building. Giotto would make use of a large team of assistants in order to create individual paintings that were focused on well known themes from the Life of Christ and the Life of the Virgin.