The Annunciation
The Archangel Gabriel, huge peacock-feather wings outstretched behind him, kneels in front of the Virgin Mary, his head bowed in reverence. He has arrived with the news that she will conceive a child, Jesus Christ, through the Holy Ghost.
A small dove, the symbol of the Holy Ghost, flies towards the Virgin's belly: this is the moment of Christ's conception. It has been sent by God, whose hand we can see appearing from a deep blue cloud that represents the heavens. A golden light emanates from a gap in Mary's pink dress and she bows her head towards it, in acceptance.
This picture comes from a palace belonging to the Medici, Florence's ruling family at the time, where it most probably hung abo...
c. 1450-3
Egg tempera on wood
68.6 x 152.7cm
NG666
Image and text © The National Gallery, London, 2024