The Adoration of the Magi
Da Vinci's unfinished altarpiece.
In 1481 Leonardo was commissioned to paint an altarpiece for the Monks of San Doneto a Scopeto in Florence. The theme was the "Adoration of the Magi", and the contract required delivery of the painting within 24 months with a extension for a further 6 months if required. Unfortunately, because Leonardo had left Florence for Milan, the work was left unfinished.
No further payments were made after September 1481.
The monks eventually commissioned their altarpiece from Fillipino Lippi, and the painting (of the same subject) was delivered in 1496.
"The
Adoration of the Magi" 1481, (s)
oil
on wood panel, 246x243 cm.
now
in the Uffizi, Florence. Leonardo da Vinci.
(detail of the Madonna) (s)
