Die Heiligen Drei Könige (The
Three Holy Kings), oak (originally polychromed) (1490), Nuremberg, Germany.
These figures are rare examples of Dutch medieval sculpture and were originally
displayed on the pillars of a church, along with the Virgin Mary. The physiognomy
and lively pose of the sculpture on the left identify him as King Balthazar,
who is often depicted as a dark complexioned, “exotic” figure from either
Africa or Arabia ■
