BOTTICELLI, Sandro
(b. 1445, Firenze, d. 1510, Firenze)

The Adoration of the Magi (detail)

c. 1475
Tempera on panel
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

This picture was commissioned by Guasparre del Lama, a social upstart. He had Botticelli paint portraits of members of the Medici family as the Magi and some of their entourage in order to give expression to his attachment to this powerful family. Del Lama may be seen among the crowd of people on the right-hand side of the picture, am elderly man with white hair and a light blue robe looking at the observer and pointing in the latter's direction with his right hand.

Among the company of worshippers at far right, we recognize Botticelli, who has depicted himself gazing at the observer, as was customary in self-portraits at that time.