After the birth of the Christ child, the Holy Family was visited by kings who followed the North Star from the East by following the North Star to pay homage to the new king of heaven. Here, the Christ child receives the gift of a chalice from the kneeling king Jasper, a reference to his ultimate sacrifice.

Vanni is one of Siena’s earliest registered painters. He traveled as diplomatic envoy to France on behalf of the city’s government and his exposure to art at the Papal court in Avignon is reflected in the lavish costumes of the Magi and exotic headgear of the onlookers, which make reference to their eastern origin, as do the camels.

Vanni was initially trained as a manuscript painter, which is particularly evident in his close attention to detail and ability to fill such a small space with so many figures.