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Jan van de Velde

Star of Kings, A Night Piece

1630
engraving

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In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

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FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

Star of Kings depicts the holiday of Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, celebrated on January 6, and commemorates the journey of the three Maji to the Christ child, guided by the Star of Bethlehem. In 17th-century Netherlands, the event was recreated by townspeople who gathered at dusk and processed through the streets singing and carrying candles and torches, following one of the most prominent citizens who had the honor of holding the star.

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