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Middle East: The Adoration of the Magi—the Three Wise Men greet the infant Jesus in this c.1560 oil painting by Pieter Aertsen.

Middle East: The Adoration of the Magi—the Three Wise Men greet the infant Jesus in this c.1560 oil painting by Pieter Aertsen.

According to Christianity, the Three Kings, or Three Wise Men, travelled from the East to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newly born Messiah, the son of God. Cradled in his mother the Virgin Mary’s hands, the baby Jesus holds up his hand in a blessing. Before him kneels King Melchior, offering a gift of gold. Joseph, Mary's husband, stands behind in red.