Black Presence in National Gallery Paintings

The Journey of the King

One of the most visible black presences in Western European painting is Balthasar, the Black King. The Christian Gospels tell of three wise men who journeyed from the East to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The idea developed that they were three kings, sometimes representing the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe - illustrating the breadth of Christianity in the modern world.

The King who came to be known as Balthasar began to be represented as an African, probably in response to this notion. He was one of a number of significant religious black figures, including Saint Maurice, Saint Benedict the Moor and Saint Augustine.

Balthasar is always shown as an important figure: dignified, wise, wealthy and central to the composition and meaning of the painting.

In Jan Brueghel's picture, he stands holding his gift for Jesus whilst the other kings kneel. He and his young pageboy turn to make eye contact with us, although they themselves are also the subject of inquisitive glances.

They are not, however, the only black presence in the picture: there's also a black soldier in the crowd on the right of the painting.

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