The Adoration of the Magi and Joseph's Dream
1120-60
Tympanum of the north portal, Abbey of St. Giles, Gard, France
In the 12th century artists gradually abandoned the formality of "Throne of Wisdom" images, in which the child holds a book and sits squarely on Mary's lap as both engage the gaze of the viewer. In this example of the new approach, the child sits on Mary's left knee and is turned toward her.
The three Magi are on the left and separated architecturally from the central portrait. One of them kneels and holds his gift aloft. Behind him another mage points to the star, now no longer visible.
On the right, also separated architecturally from the central portrait, the angel warns Joseph to take the family to Egypt to escape Herod (Matthew 2:13).
All faces have been chiseled away, perhaps during the Huguenot occupation of the church in the 16th century.
Read more about images of the Magi.
Source: this page at Wikimedia Commons.
