Although its attribution is uncertain, this painting mimics the Venetian style of the late-Renaissance artist Veronese (1528–88). The work depicts the Holy Family being visited by the three wise kings from the East, also known as magi (priests or holy men). To the left we see Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus.

The magi function as an allegory for the ages of man: elder, adult and youth. Caspar, the central bearded man and eldest of the three, presents Christ with gifts of fine gold; Caspar’s page, in the foreground, holds a gold crown. Melchior, who wears a purple robe and gifts the precious perfume of frankincense, is depicted here as a man of middle age. Lastly, Balthasar holds his fragrant gift of myrrh. Unfortunately, the paint is considerably worn in this section and the detail of his expression is lost.

The image of Balthasar as a black king was popularised by European artists in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. They sought to reflect the increasing visibility of other races across the continent — a result of accelerated global exploration.