LA STELLA DEI MAGI E LA SUA ICONOGRAFIA NELL’ARTE MEDIOEVALE E DEL PRIMO RINASCIMENTO

This paper is part of a research project that began in 2010, aiming to verify whether particularly noticeable transient astronomical phenomena (transits of bright comets, supernovae explosions, etc.) are to be considered sources of inspiration for works of medieval and Renaissance art in which stars, other objects or celestial phenomena are represented. For this purpose, a database was constructed, cataloguing works of art linked to the Magi and the Nativity. Initial results do show a strong statistical correlation between numerous works of art and these particularly bright and impressive astronomical events for the 12th and 13th centuries and, in part, for the 14th century. This paper also presents a database including early Renaissance works, and proposes an iconographic analysis of the stars represented.