Angel of the Annunciation

This panel along with the Virgin of the Annunciation (acc. no. 1993.251.2) once initiated a glazing cycle dedicated to the Life of Christ installed in the axial bay of the Altenberg convent church choir. The angel Gabriel holds a scroll inscribed AVE• [MARIA] GR•A[TIA] • P LENA (Hail [Mary], full of grace), and behind the dove of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin an inscription reads ECCE• ANC •ILLA• I[ESU] • N[OSTRI]• D[OMINUS] (Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord). The angular linearity of the painting style, with its bold slashing strokes, combined with the strong junctures of color, make these panels exceptional examples of German glass painting of the period.

Credit: The Cloisters Collection, 1993