“Study for The Annunciation” is a sketch and study artwork created by Henry Ossawa Tanner in 1898. The artwork, classified under the Realism movement, serves as a preparatory study for a later, more fully realized piece.
In this composition, Tanner employs a palette dominated by earthy tones, adding to the somber and contemplative atmosphere. The artwork depicts a scene with a figure positioned towards the center, bathed in gentle light. This figure, presumably the Virgin Mary, sits or stands in a reflective pose, surrounded by subtly represented interior details. To the left, a vertical shaft of light, possibly representing the angelic presence, contrasts sharply with the more muted background, drawing the viewer’s eye and emphasizing the divine nature of the event. The textures and forms in the artwork are rendered with loose, expressive brushstrokes, indicative of the spontaneity and exploratory nature inherent in a study. Overall, the artwork captures a poignant moment rich in spiritual and emotional depth.
