Unterberger is thought to have painted Adoration of the Magi, a small-format work on canvas, in around 1750, during his Viennese period – as confirmed by the inscription on the back
of the painting.
According to the Bible story, Joseph and the pregnant Mary travelled to Bethlehem, where they were unable to find lodging. Eventually they found shelter in a stable, where Mary gave birth and placed the child in a manger. Three wise men from the East (Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar) came to pay homage to the infant Jesus and brought him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2, 1–12).
The painting is one of a pair with the artist’s Adoration of the Shepherds, also in the National Gallery (NG S 3384). Unterberger gave the miniature scene the same intimate atmosphere. The vivid colours and charm of the scene are characteristics the artist had encountered in the Venetian works of Nicola Grassi (1682–1748) and Francesco Fontebasso (1707–1769).
The small format suggests that the work was intended for private devotions.
Donated by: dr. Zora Janžekovič (1918−2015), Maribor, 2010