Image

Matteo di Giovanni di Bartolo

Virgin of the Annunciation, ca. 1474

Description

Maker

Title

Virgin of the Annunciation

Year

ca. 1474

Medium

Tempera and gold on wood panel

Materials/Techniques

Materials

Supports

Dimensions

73.7 x 41.9 x 3.2 cm (29 x 16 1/2 x 1 1/4 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Signed: 1474

Place

Italy

Type

Credit

Gift of Mr. Robert Lehman

Object Number

57.301

About

This panel represents the Virgin Mary receiving the news that she was to become the Mother of Christ. It was designed as a component of a large multi-part altarpiece that was made for the Church of Sant' Agostino in the hill town of Asciano, near Siena. Intended to flank a magnificent central depiction of the Assumption of the Virgin into heaven (now in the National Gallery, London), the Annunciation panel originally appeared as a pinnacle on the right wing of the altarpiece. A companion pinnacle depicting the Angel Gabriel, now lost, faced her on the opposite side. Mary is shown here with her hands clasped in prayer and her head bowed to indicate humility. Her purity is symbolized by a white lily, which arises from a long-necked vase and curves to form a lectern for her prayer book.

Signed: 1474

Italy
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Exhibition History

Exhibition History

European Galleries

Mary was the subject of great devotion by medieval Christians and served as their primary intercessor with God. Here Gabriel tells Mary she will become the mother of God’s son. A white lily symbolizes her purity, emerging from the classically inspired vase that forms a lectern for her prayer book.

The panel was originally set into an elaborate frame in the top section of a multi-part altarpiece. A painting of Gabriel appeared as a pinnacle on an opposing wing. Both faced a monumental central image (now at the National Gallery, London) that celebrated Mary’s physical assumption into heaven.

Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Virgin of the Annunciation with the accession number of 57.301. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.