The Adoration of the Magi

This small work is characteristic of the oil sketches that Murillo used as part of his preparatory process in constructing harmonies of light and colour in his larger compositions. Old restoration had attempted to strengthen Murillo's loose style by painting over certain figures. Now that this paint has been removed, we can observe more closely the energetic and spontaneous brushwork that attests to Murillo's exceptional skills as a draughtsman. This oil sketch is likely to be a preparatory work for The Adoration of the Magi, 1655-60 (Toledo Museum of Art). Interestingly, when the composition of this oil sketch is reversed, it corresponds almost exactly with the position of the figures in the Toledo painting.