The artwork titled “Annuciation to Anne Mosaic” is a Byzantine mosaic created around 1320, currently located at the Chora Church in Istanbul, Turkey. This religious painting is a visual representation created during the Late Byzantine or Palaeologan Renaissance period, which spanned from approximately 1261 to 1453. The mosaic medium, a hallmark of the time, showcases the intricate technique and the spiritual themes that typified Byzantine art.
The mosaic depicts the Annunciation to Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, making it a religious narrative scene. It features rich, golden tones, abundant in Byzantine mosaics, giving the artwork a lustrous appearance. On the left, the figure of Anne is shown within an architectural setting, gesturing in communication or perhaps astonishment towards the angelic figure to the right. The angel is captured mid-message, with its hand raised in a symbolic motion. The backdrop consists of verdant trees and a detailed landscape, which contributes to a sense of depth and natural setting uncommon in earlier Byzantine work. At the bottom, decorative borders with intricate geometric patterns frame the scene. Overall, the Annunciation to Anne Mosaic is an exemplary piece of religious art from a key period in Byzantine culture, showcasing the artistic and symbolic depth that the mosaics from this era are celebrated for.