Botticelli's Masterpiece: The Annunciation Analysis
Explore Botticelli's iconic painting "The Annunciation" commissioned in 1489, featuring insights on symbolism such as white lilies representing purity and the unique composition of Mary and Gabriel. Discover the historical context, significance of Mary's blue robe, and the Latin scripture from St. Luke's Gospel incorporated in the original framework of the painting.
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Botticellis the Annunciation Masterpiece Analysis
The Annunciation ca. 1489 Tempera on Panel
History The Annunciation, also known as the Cestello Annunciation by Sandro Botticelli was commissioned by the church of the convent of Cestello in 1489. This church is now known as the Santa Maria Maddalena de Pazzi. The materials used for this painting is tempera paints on wood panel This piece is now housed in the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence
White lilies are usually associated with the Virgin Mary because they are a symbol of purity. The white of the lily represented her purity and the golden stamen of the lily represents her glowing soul. White lilies are very common in annunciation scenes, usually placed in vases at the corner of the scene or in Gabriel s hand. In this particular annunciation scene, we see the second placement. White Lily
Most annunciation scenes of this time period show Mary kneeling and the angel Gabriel bending down to touch Mary. In this scene, Botticelli reverses the positions of Gabriel and Mary to create a more dynamic scene. Botticelli also creates a pyramidal composition between the two figures, which is becoming more and more popular in Italy to show depth and composition. Positions of Mary and Gabriel
We know that this is an annunciation scene partially based on the book on the stand. In most annunciation scenes of this time, Mary is shown reading, or at least holding a book or near an open book. Mary is also wearing a blue robe, which is also very characteristic of annunciation scenes as well as very characteristic of Mary. The colour blue in Christian painting also symbolizes heavenly grace, good health, and hope. The Book and The Blue
Original Framework On the original framework of the painting, under Mary, there is a short scripture from St. Luke s Gospel 1:35. In Latin it reads The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee. This passage is an excerpt from the annunciation story in the Bible which is Luke 1:26-38. What is written on the frame is part of what Gabriel says to the Virgin Mary in the original Bible story.
The halo is very common in the Italian Renaissance style, and less so in the Northern European Renaissance. We can help place where the work was made based on the usage of halos. We are also seeing the more Byzantine style of halo here rather than the progression towards the very thin outline of the halo which happens later in the Renaissance. In Christianity, the halo represents a window into heaven, where God is the source of light. Halos
Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cestello_Annunciation_(Botticelli) http://www.theartofpainting.be/AOM-Annunciation.htm http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-art/meaning-of-colors- in-christian-art.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annunciation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_(religious_iconography)
