Adoration of the Magi (L’Adoration des Mages), in the Connolly Book of Hours, an illuminated manuscript, late 15th century

Unknown artist

France

Miniature, colored ink (carbon combined with gum and water; gold powder mixed with paint) on vellum

The page measures 6 1/8 x 4 1/8 in.

John J. Burns Library, Boston College (Ms. 86–97)

The Book of Hours—this volume is named in honor of Librarian Terence Connolly, SJ, who was instrumental in building the University’s special collections—is a private prayer book containing the devotions for the seven canonical hours of the Roman Catholic Church, liturgies for local saints, and sometimes, a calendar. The words in Latin below this image read: “God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.” In this miniature, King Melchior (kneeling) has removed his crown and is offering a gift of gold to the infant Jesus. In the background, Kings Balthasar (right) and Caspar (center) present gifts of frankincense and myrrh in cruciform containers, foretelling the Passion. According to the Gospel of Matthew, “three wise men from the east” came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east.” They followed the star to where the Christ Child was born; “…they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.”