'Les Rois Mages'

Photograph of a work by Ary Scheffer, the prime version of which was painted in 1844.The image depicts the Three Magi in half-length. The central, younger figure is gazing upwards towards the star of Bethlehem to the right, raising his left hand up, while holding a scroll in his right hand. It has been suggested that this is an allegorical portrayal of the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt (1811-1886), whom Scheffer had known since 1825. The two, considerably older kings flanking Liszt are presented without taking notice of the star.

Scheffer (and his studio) continued throughout his life to produce new works of old compositions on demand. His paintings were also widely reproduced as etchings.