Magi in Art and Legend

The story of the Three Kings is an integral and popular part of the modern celebration of Christmas – but devotion to the Mago, or Wise Men from the East, can be traced back to the beginnings of the Christian Church – in Rome to the second century and in England at least to Saxon times.

Whilst we are all probably familiar with the account of the Wise Men in St Matthew Chapter 2, there are several other intriguing documentary accounts. I hope to look at some of these, and then explore some of the great art that the story has inspired over the centuries.

Following a career in music, Sophie Weston taught on The Medieval Churches Certificate Course at Leeds University and more recently has led a series of study days on ecclesiastical topics and taken groups to churches in Rome, Ravenna, Santiago and Romania.