“The Annunciation” is a religious painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, completed in 1859. It is influenced by the Romanticism movement and currently resides at the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge in the UK.
This artwork depicts the biblical scene of the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will conceive and become the mother of Jesus Christ. The painting is rich in symbolism and features a lush garden setting with an abundance of flowers, emphasizing the theme of fertility and new life. Mary is depicted kneeling, her posture one of humility and contemplation, as she listens to the angel’s message. Gabriel, often portrayed hovering or with majestic wings in art, is here leaning towards Mary, providing an intimate and grounded portrayal of this supernatural visitation. The colors are deep and the composition is vertical, drawing the viewer’s gaze upwards, thereby connecting heaven and earth. The intricate details and use of light create a sense of otherworldliness whilst anchoring the narrative in a tangible reality.
