Curious Christian

Alfred David Thomas (1907-1989) was an Indian artist who studied at the Lucknow Art School in Santiniketan, took lessons from Bineswar Ken and Nandalal Bose, and later attended Visva Bharati University under Abandanindranath Tagore (the father of modern Indian art). 

In this painting, The Visit of the Magi, Thomas uses intricate brushwork to emphasise the opulent garments of the Magi, in contrast to the humble, unadorned appearance of Mary and her child, Jesus.

This juxtaposition not only highlights the disparity between worldly wealth and spiritual simplicity, but also draws attention to the reverence and humility of the Magi in the presence of the newborn Messiah.