The Adoration of the Magi, the corners with contemporary cartapesta decoration

The attribution for this panel, datbale to circa 1560, remains unclear; the artist was obviously of very real ability, and elements of the handling would suggest that he may possibly have been a Northerner painting in Italy, perhaps a contemporary or even pupil of Pieter Coecke van Aelst in the 1640s, certainly some degree of familiarity with the latter's work can be inferred. The fluid mannerism of contemporary Italians is, however, the stronger influence, recalling the hand of artists such as Francesco Salviati (who is known to have employed foereigners, for example the Spaniards Francesco Roviale and Gaspar Becerra).

The picture also shares distinct stylistic similarities with the work of Marco Pino, who was influenced by both Coecke and Salviati. One might, for example, consider such works as his predella panels of The Adoration of the Shepherds and The Adoration of the Magi in the Museo di Capodimonte, Naples, datable to 1567-8; also stylistically comparable is the Adoration of the Magi formerly given to Marco Pino and now attributed to Michele Curia (Naples, Santa Maria di Piedigrotta).

We are very grateful to Nicole Dacos Crifò and Andrea Zezza for their assistance in cataloguing this picture.