(Bamberg c. 1450–1508)
The Adoration of the Magi, tempera on panel, 101 x 72.5 cm, framed.

Christof Metzger writes in his certificate regarding the present painting (February 2013, available in the original): “The painting was certainly once the wing of an altar, and, due to its exquisite gold background decoration, must have formed the inner side. The companion piece surely illustrated a further scene from Jesus’s childhood, such as his birth. Artistically, the panel points to the late 15th century, and its painter may be traced to Bamberg. The closest formal and stylistic similarities may be found with the work of Wolfgang Katzheimer (circa 1450–1508) and also with the early work of his pupil Hans Traut (circa 1453–1516). The former was the leading painter of the late Gothic period in Bamberg, the latter continued his style, shaped by Dutch models, in Nuremberg. Characteristic for the Katzheimer group are, for instance, the densely packed scenes, often in front of elaborately composed, naturalistic landscapes, the gentle face types with a notably strong emphasis on physiognomic features (large noses), a pastose application of colour (hair, beards), and a fondness for intricate costume details, made from precious materials.