10 Amazing Annunciation Paintings

Feast of the Annunciation March 25th

The Feast of the Annunciation, a Christian celebration, takes place every year on March 25th, also called Lady Day. This “announcement” of conception is, of course, exactly nine months before the birth of Jesus. Whether a historical reality or a creative allegory, the Annunciation has fascinated artists through the ages, including Medieval and Renaissance times. Many of the great artists have created their version, and depictions continue to the modern day. This is a challenging work for any artist, where the focus is on just two figures, in a space where intent, gesture, and symbolism are everything.

1. The First Annunciation Depiction

Although its origins and exact date are disputed, this is perhaps the first known Annunciation image. A painted wooden icon, it was most likely made in Novgorod, one of the oldest cities in Russia. Despite being 900 years old, this image is instantly recognizable as a depiction of the Annunciation. We see a winged angel, holding out its hand as a message. And we see Mary, wearing red and blue. In the history of religious art, the blue gown symbolizes purity, peace, and heaven (and also royalty), while the scarlet robe (cloak) symbolizes passion and salvation.

2. Golden Gothic

Archangel Gabriel has clearly just arrived, Mary drawing back in surprise, holding her cloak. In the centre we see a dove, a common theme in these paintings, representing the Holy Spirit. Below the dove we find a vase of lilies symbolizing Mary’s purity. The Archangel Gabriel holds an olive branch, symbolizing peace. Extensive use of gold leaf on the panel proves this was a costly work—it was produced for the Siena Cathedral. This unusual Gothic Annunciation is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of 14th century painting in Europe.

3. Fra Angelico Fresco

Fra Angelico means the “angelic friar.” A devout Dominican monk, he mostly painted frescos, which are created by painting directly onto wet plaster. This would cause the pigment to bind with the plaster as it dried. He is believed to be the first to paint Mary in an outdoor setting, although still covered (protected) by the roof of a loggia. Gabriel’s colorful wings have multi-colored stripes like an exotic bird. But also notice that Gabriel wears pink. At this point in art history, pink was mostly used for flesh tones, so garbing the angel in pink literally “fleshes out” this spirit being into a flesh and blood reality.

4. Splendor in the Church

This tall, narrow painting was created as the left panel of a triptych. Jan van Eyck‘s Annunciation is the first to take place in the very detailed material world of a church or temple. Jan van Eyck was know for his astonishing attention to detail and meticulous technique: just look at the columns, jewels, fabrics, and floor designs. This painting sets Mary very much at the center of Church life and practice. God’s plan for salvation is set in motion, a new era of grace begins—and it takes place within the body of a woman who stands at the heart of the church both physically and spiritually.

5. Rays of Golden Light

Architectural columns and arches dominate this painting. It was common in Annunciation images to set the figures in some kind of building or room as an enclosed space symbolizes Mary’s inviolate chastity. That space is open to the entrance of Archangel Gabriel, but the solid central column still clearly delineates Mary’s space from that of Gabriel’s. A common Annunciation symbol, used to great effect by Sandro Botticelli, is the rays of golden light travelling from above, symbolic of the miraculous conception via the Holy Spirit.

6. Billowing Movement

Annunciation paintings often show one of three reactions from Mary to the appearance of Gabriel. She goes from her initial alarm at the sudden vision, possibly leaning away, followed by perplexed reluctance to accept the role, through to a final humble acceptance. In this painting by Peter Paul Rubens, it’s possible he has managed to capture all three. Rubens was praised for the vitality and exuberant movement within his works, see how Gabriel’s robes billow around him, as if still in flight.

7. Tender Ecstasy

Nicolas Poussin hones in on a very private and intimate moment here. Sitting cross-legged (an unusual pose), Mary seems to be in ecstasy, yielding to the angel. The dove (Holy Spirit) hovers above her. She is wearing her traditional blue cloth (symbol of purity) as a hair covering, which would be typical attire for a married woman. But her gown is pink and yellow, which adds a light and hopeful tone. Note also the angel wings—in so many Annunciation paintings these are huge, muscular appendages, like a mighty bird of prey with stripes of vibrant color.

8. Modesty and Piety

Henry Ossawa Tanner grew up in a Methodist Episcopal home in Pennsylvania, USA, and his religious upbringing heavily influenced his work. He travelled to Egypt and Palestine to see the land and culture of Christ for his paintings. In this Annunciation, the angel Gabriel is a supernatural column of pure light, and Mary is located within a very plain and humble home. Mary is presented as a normal adolescent dressed in modest, even rumpled, Middle Eastern clothing.

9. Romantic Imagery

With her hand raised in surprise at the divine visitation, this Mary is painted in the Romantic style. John William Waterhouse embraced the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and the elegant composition and brilliant hues of the gowns and the gardens makes for a very pleasing image.

10. The Tenderness of Youth

Paula Rego used her 12-year-old granddaughter as a model for this painting. Gabriel has swan-like, fluffy wings, but a dark, plain dress. There is a sense of real tenderness here. This modern day Mary in her ordinary clothes gives us insight into the unsettling experience of a girl receiving the news that she will bear the son of God. With no ethereal scene, the girl seems realistically anxious, embarrassed, or even confused. But at the same time, just like the Mary of all our previous images, she seems accepting of the angels’ message. Just like the traditional Annunciation, it is a young woman who is the very centre of this story.

Devotion

As we have seen, artists through the ages have portrayed the Annunciation in varied and wondrous ways. You could ask, how does a painting of just two figures offer such richness and variety to artists through the ages? Clearly the Annunciation has fascinated us—believer, atheist, or agnostic. Poignant and beautiful, these paintings have something to say to all of us about human devotion and our connection to faith or spirit, however we choose to name and embrace that.