The artwork entitled “Annunciation”, created by Fra Angelico between 1451 and 1452, is a tempera painting on panel representing the Early Renaissance art movement. This religious painting belongs to a series known as “Paintings for the Armadio degli Argenti” and is currently housed in the Basilica di San Marco in Florence, Italy.
In the artwork, the scene depicted illustrates the biblical Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will conceive and bear a son, Jesus. Gabriel, adorned in a flowing robe with vibrant, multi-colored wings, is shown kneeling with one hand raised in a gesture of speech, while the Virgin Mary, positioned on the right, also kneels with a modest gesture of astonishment and acceptance. The setting is an architectural space composed of classical columns and symmetrical arches, leading the viewer’s eye towards a central, receding doorway – creating an illusion of depth. Above the scene is an inscription in Latin, referencing the biblical text of the Annunciation, further emphasizing the religious significance of the moment. The artwork’s serene and balanced composition, along with its detailed renderings and use of perspective, reflects Fra Angelico’s mastery and the innovation typical of the Early Renaissance period.
