Los Reyes Magos

Hipolito Marte Martinez, Los Reyes Magos, early 20th century, carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.59
Hipolito Marte Martinez, Los Reyes Magos, early 20th century, carved and painted wood, 12 x 19 5⁄8 x 2 1⁄4 in. (30.5 x 49.8 x 5.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.59
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Los Reyes Magos
Artist
Date
early 20th century
Location
Dimensions
12 x 19 5⁄8 x 2 1⁄4 in. (30.5 x 49.8 x 5.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Teodoro Vidal Collection
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted wood
Classifications
Subjects
  • Equestrian
  • Religion — New Testament — Magi
Object Number
1996.91.59
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1996.91.59

Artwork Description

The three Magi (Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar) followed the star of Bethlehem to visit the newborn Christ child. In Puerto Rico, Melchior is always represented with dark skin because, according to local tradition, the rays of a star burned him. Puertorriqueño children wait eagerly for the Feast of the Epiphany, which is celebrated on January 6 to commemorate the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem. They leave boxes of hay and bowls of water under their beds for the Magi's horses. It is like a second Christmas as they await the gifts that will be given to them.

Works by this artist (9 items)

View all artworks
Marsha Burns, #45847, from the Dreamers Portfolio, 1980, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase with funds provided by the Awards in the Visual Arts Program, 1982.21.9
#45847, from the Dreamers Portfolio
Artist
Date1980
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Marsha Burns, #45550, from the Dreamers Portfolio, 1980, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase with funds provided by the Awards in the Visual Arts Program, 1982.21.7
#45550, from the Dreamers Portfolio
Artist
Date1980
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Marsha Burns, #45495, from the Dreamers Portfolio, 1980, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase with funds provided by the Awards in the Visual Arts Program, 1982.21.6
#45495, from the Dreamers Portfolio
Artist
Date1980
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Marsha Burns, #45445, from the Dreamers Portfolio, 1980, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase with funds provided by the Awards in the Visual Arts Program, 1982.21.5
#45445, from the Dreamers Portfolio
Artist
Date1980
gelatin silver print
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Miner Kilbourne Kellogg, Angel for Mercy's Dream, n.d., pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Martha F. Butler, 1991.56.28
Angel for Mercy’s Dream
Artist
Daten.d.
pencil on paper
Not on view
Miner Kilbourne Kellogg, Pillar, 1843, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Martha F. Butler, 1991.56.297
Pillar
Artist
Date1843
pencil on paper
Not on view
Miner Kilbourne Kellogg, Villa in Genoa, 1854, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Martha F. Butler, 1991.56.101
Villa in Genoa
Artist
Date1854
pencil on paper
Not on view
Miner Kilbourne Kellogg, Putti (sketches of Venice), n.d., pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Martha F. Butler, 1991.56.9
Putti (sketches of Venice)
Artist
Daten.d.
pencil on paper
Not on view