The Annunciation (ca. 1500–34)
Original title: The Annunciation; on the left the archangel Gabriel approaches the praying Virgin Mary in her bedchamber, over her head a dove representing the Holy Ghost, in the sky above a figure of God the Father, from "The Passion of Christ", after Dürer
kurzbeschreibung
Marcantonio Raimondi made this engraving between about 1500 and 1534 after a model by Albrecht Dürer. It portrays the Annunciation to Mary and belongs to the cycle of the 'Passion of Christ'. This impression is the second of three states.
Description
Mary kneels on a bed, her hands folded in prayer, and looks up at Gabriel. The archangel stands on the left and points at her with a raised hand. A dove above her head symbolizes the Holy Spirit; high above, God the Father appears with a crown and beard. Light enters through a window and brightens the chamber.
Context
As a reproductive engraver, Raimondi spread the works of Dürer and other artists throughout Italy. The 'Passion of Christ', after which this print was made, goes back to Dürer. In the first half of the 16th century, his influence on Italian art was strong.
Impact
Fine lines and a quiet, devotional mood define the sheet. The clear layout directs the gaze to the dialogue between Gabriel and Mary. Dove and God the Father emphasize the theological meaning. Despite the small format, the view feels balanced and monumental.
Technique
In engraving, lines are incised into a metal plate and then printed. Raimondi worked with precise, parallel hatching to bring out light and shadow. The second state suggests reworking of the plate, as was common in printmaking.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)