Journey of the Magi – 2 sizes – Heinrich Lefler – Catholic Art Print – Christmas Art

"Journey of the Magi"Henrich LeflterThis lovely turn-of-the-century picture was made by Heinrich Leflter (1863-1919), an Austrian Catholic who had a famous career as a set designer for the theater and Vienna Court Opera under the directorship of Gustav Mahler. But he was also known as an artist, a pioneer in illustrations and the decorative arts, who did many beautiful Art Nouveau works. This one is from his 1899 calendar, the Österreichische Kalender Monatsbilder, a calendar in the Jugendstil ("Youth Style," the German iteration of Art Nouveau), which is considered today to be his masterpiece. Leflter's art was deeply involved with narrative, and this beautiful scene tells a lot of the story of the Magi. The three kings, in their rich robes, trudge through the snow to a quiet animal stable at the edge of a small town, to kneel, as we know, before a tiny baby in a hay-filled feeding trough. As the saying goes, wise men still seek Him. May we all follow that star. (source: nicklouras.co