The Annunciation

Pietro Perugino (school of) 1450 - 1523

Summary

This panel shows the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary, by the Archangel Gabriel, that she would bear the Son of God. Gabriel kneels, holding a lily, which denotes purity. The Virgin is seated in front of him on a stone terrace, her head bent, her eyes closed and her arms crossed over her breast. There is a lectern in front of her. The figure of God, flanked by cherubim, appears at a golden opening in the sky, from which the Holy Spirit descends toward her in the form of a dove in a shaft of golden rays. An elegant, idealised landscape of rolling hills and woods descends to a lake in the background. Inscribed in gold lettering across the lake, to the left of the Virgin's head, is her humble acceptance, 'Ecce Ancilla Domine' (Behold the handmaid of the Lord). This is one of a set of four predella panels, which would originally have been inserted in the lower section, or predella, of the frame of a large altarpiece. Each panel presents a theme for contemplation. Predellas were frequently produced by studio assistants. This may be the work of a follower of Perugino.

Display Label

The Annunciation early 1500s Follower of Pietro Perugino (1446-7 - 1523), Tempera on panel An angel messenger visits the Virgin Mary to announce that she will bear a child who will be the son of God. The angel holds a lily to denote her purity. In the sky above God looks down and a dove, symbolising the Holy Spirit, flies down from God to Mary. Mary’s humble words of acceptance are written below in Latin: Ecce Ancilla Domine ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord’. Henry Whitehead bequest, through the Art Fund 1947.184