Epiphany (holiday)

Epiphany (Koine Greek: Ἐπιφάνεια, Epiphaneia, "Manifestation", "striking appearance") or Theophany (Ancient Greek: (ἡ) Θεοφάνεια, Τheophaneia meaning "Vision of God"), also known as Three Kings' Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God in his Son as human in Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ child, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Moreover, the feast of the Epiphany, in some Western Christian denominations, also initiates the liturgical season of Epiphanytide.Eastern Christians, on the other hand, commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God.

The traditional date for the feast is January 6. However, since 1970, the celebration is held in some countries on the Sunday after January 1. Eastern Churches following the Julian Calendar observe the Theophany feast on what for most countries is January 19 because of the 13-day difference today between that calendar and the generally used Gregorian calendar. In many Western Christian Churches, the eve of the feast is celebrated as Twelfth Night. The Monday after Epiphany is known as Plough Monday.

Adoration of the Magi (Bosch, Madrid)

The Adoration of the Magi, or The Epiphany is a triptych oil painting on wood panel by the Netherlandish artist Hieronymus Bosch, executed around 1485-1500. It is housed in the Museo del Prado of Madrid, Spain.

History

The work was once identified with a canvas executed for the Cathedral of 's-Hertogenbosch, Bosch's hometown. However, it is now considered more likely that this one is the painting owned by Jehan de Kassembrood which was seized by Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba in 1567. The painting contains the coat of arms of the Bronchorst, the family of Kassembrood's wife; Kassembrood had been secretary of Lamoral, Count of Egmont, and was executed with him in 1568.

Together with other forfeited works of art, the Duke shipped the triptych to Philip II of Spain, a collector of Bosch paintings. In 1574 the painting was in the El Escorial monastery, and is mentioned in 1605 as an "Epiphany without any extravaganza", differently than other Bosch's work there. It has been at the Prado since 1839.