The artwork depicted is a Byzantine mosaic titled “Annunciation,” believed to be created around 1030. It is associated with both the Macedonian Renaissance, which spanned 867–1056, and hints of the later Late Byzantine or Palaeologan Renaissance era, which lasted from about 1261 to 1453. The mosaic represents a religious painting genre and is part of the artistic series found within the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, where it is currently located.
The mosaic depicts two central figures: the Archangel Gabriel on the left and the Virgin Mary on the right. Gabriel is shown presenting Mary with the news of her divine selection to be the mother of Jesus Christ, an event that is a fundamental narrative of the Christian Annunciation. The figures are stylized in the traditional Byzantine manner, with elongated proportions and a formal, frontal presentation that emphasizes their sacred roles rather than realistic depiction.
Both figures are adorned with halo-like glows around their heads, signifying their holy status. Gabriel is depicted in motion, his right hand raised in a gesture of speech or revelation, and carries a staff as a symbol of his divine authority. Mary is portrayed with a solemn, introspective expression, her right hand raised in a gesture of acceptance or contemplation. She wears a richly decorated blue robe that indicates her purity and importance.
The golden background is typical of Byzantine mosaics, giving a sense of a heavenly or otherworldly realm. The mosaic is crafted with small pieces of colored glass or stone, known as tesserae, which create detailed patterns and luminous surfaces that capture the light, giving a transcendent quality to the figures.
Inscriptions in Greek are present next to each figure, providing context and identifying each of them. These inscriptions are often used in Byzantine iconography to relate the viewer to the specific religious narratives being depicted. Overall, the “Annunciation” mosaic in Saint Sophia Cathedral is a fine example of the religious and artistic achievements of the Byzantine era.