Adoration of the Magi

Adoration of the Magi (c. 1475) by Sandro Botticelli. Its palette is led by umber (#705939, 38%) and dark taupe (#403524, 36%), with accents of bone. Overall the canvas is mid-toned, moderately saturated and warm.

Color note

Botticelli painted mostly in egg tempera, which dries fast into clear, matte color and doesn't allow the soft blending of oil. The Birth of Venus is tempera on canvas, unusual for so large a work in its time.

Palette

#705939 MG 184 umber 37.9% of canvas
#403524 MG 177 dark taupe 36.2% of canvas
#968865 MG 182 golden umber 16.0% of canvas
#833a26 MG 147 rich sienna 6.8% of canvas
#ccc6ab MG 171 bone 3.2% of canvas

Color families

Brown 84%, Gray 6%, Black 5%, Yellow 2%, Red 1%

Measurements

Lightness: 0.46
Contrast: 0.40
Vividness: 0.046
Warmth: +1.00
Complexity: 154 cells
Hue range: 0.39
Focus: 0.07

Composition

51% of the visual weight is in the left half, 51% in the upper half. Symmetry 0.57 (how closely its shapes and edges mirror each other). 14% of the canvas is calm space. Half of the detail sits in 36% of the canvas. Measured from the image, not a rule the painter followed.

Details

Date: c. 1475
Medium: Tempera on panel
Size: 111.0 × 134.0 cm
Genre: religious art
Collection: Uffizi Gallery, Florence

Download the pin · Save to Pinterest