Print

Mbatha has worked on murals and designed tapestries, but he is best known as one of the earliest and most influential lino-cut artists in South Africa. He has used his dense narrative style to illustrate biblical themes and document local events and ceremonies, in attempting to reconcile Christianity with his Zulu heritage.

Monochromatic linocut print in black ink on tan paper. Bottom half of image shows the three wise men standing side by side. Each wears a long robe and head covering, hands clasped to the front. The landscape behind is a pattern of thin, dark horizontal waves. The top half of the image is rounded at the corners, and shows at centre a large star throwing multiple rays of light, surrounded by several smaller stars. A thick black line borders the entire picture.