Scottish Catholic Observer

Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, has selected The Adoration of the Magi (left) (c1503-1510) by The Master of the Glasgow Adoration for the front of his Christmas card.

The original painting will go on public display for the first time in more than 20 years next year when it featured in The Essence of Beauty: 500 Years of Italian Art exhibition at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, from April 6 to August 12 next year.

Archbishop Conti (inset), a patron of the exhibition, has funded the restoration of the particular painting ahead of it going on display.

“I am delighted that the council leader has chosen the painting of the adoration of the magi to be his official Christmas card this year,” the archbishop said. “The painting itself is magnificent and I am delighted that a traditional nativity scene has been chosen when all around others are ignoring the real reason for the season.”

Archbishop Conti added that he was also very pleased the Royal Mail had chosen ‘traditional nativity scenes for their Christmas stamps’ and said the archdiocese would be using them to send out their Christmas cards.

Mr Matheson, said he thought the Magi image was an ideal fit for his Christmas cards.

“I have always loved Christmas cards with religious images and what better way is there to pass on our good wishes at this time of year than by using one of the city’s most beautiful paintings,” he said. “Glasgow owns some of the finest pieces of art in the world and I am sure that our exhibition of Italian paintings next year will be hugely popular.”

The painting The Adoration of the Magi came into Glasgow City’s collection in 1877. It was part of a bequest of 138 works from Mrs John Graham Gilbert that had been collected by her husband.  A total of 12 of these works were Italian, including Bellini’s Madonna and Child and works by Bordone and Sassoferrato that will also be in next year’s exhibition.