The Adoration of the Kings -- Vincenzo Foppa

See the picture here.

- No, Sir, I’m not the artist. I’m just tall for my age, Sir.
- He’s out, Sir.
- Perhaps at the end of the day. Or perhaps not.
- Certainly you can wait. But please don’t think me rude if I go on working. I have to get this done before the master returns–
- Yes, probably at sunset, Sir. Not that chair, it’s covered in… Oh Sir, there’s a rag in that dish there. Wouldn’t you prefer to go to the inn at–
- No, of course it’s no trouble, but as I said, I have to get this done… I’m putting on the gold. It must be layered, you see, and it’ll be set with gems and–
- Caspar’s turban, Sir, and his buttons. See, that’s where the stones will be.
- Yes it will. Quite good enough for the Pope himself.
- Sir, I don’t mean to trouble you, but my light? … A little to the left, no the right.


- I’m sorry Sir, I was miles–
- Yes, I’m the boy in the blue tunic. The Master often takes his models from the–
- She was a lady on her way to–
- No, Sir, the Master is respectable, and married.
- Yes, she had a baby and the Master asked her to sit for him, because–
- Well he might, if he thinks your face is suitable. He is working on a scene with angels and shepherds. Perhaps he’ll need a shepherd…
- Oh, no, Sir, I didn’t mean that, but you hardly look like an angel, Sir, and you did ask about modelling and I’m not the page of a great king, Sir, but I can still be one in a picture–
- No Sir, he’s never done a portrait of an apothecary, but I’m sure if he ever did you’d be the–
- What’s that, Sir? Yes, he would miss that. It’s a sketch for the picture he’s working on. I think it blew on to the floor when you came in.
- I couldn’t say – you’d have to discuss it with the Master. There might be something he’d trade for it.
- Yes, the light is going.
- No, there’s no wine here. You could try the inn down the road… I’ll tell the Master that’s where you are.