Adoration of the Magi (Botticelli, 1475) described by Vasari as "the finest of all that are now extant for its life and vigour"), his sons Piero (the second Magus kneeling in the centre with the red mantle) and Giovanni (the third Magus), and his grandsons Giuliano and Lorenzo. The three Medici portrayed as Magi were all dead at the time the picture was painted, and Florence was effectively ruled by Lorenzo. Whether Botticelli's intimate relations with the Medici brothers allowed the wealthy Gaspare to introduce the portraits of their kinsmen in his altar-piece, or Gaspare was glad for this opportunity to pay a graceful compliment to
Adoration of the Magi (Ospedale degli Innocenti) by the original predella (which had been separated in 1615) in 1971. This scene of the Adoration of the Magi expands upon earlier innovations by Sandro Botticelli "Adoration of the Magi "of Santa Maria Novella (c. 1475) and Leonardo da Vinci's "Adoration of the Magi" (1481-1482). The Madonna occupies a central position inside a pyramidal composition. The Child is held up to be seen by the Magi and the other spectators. Two Magi are positioned at the base of the composition, one kisses the child's foot, and another kneels with his hand on his chest. A third Magus stands on