Artwork
The Annunciation
The Annunciation is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
These objects function as symbolic attributes associated with the event’s narrative.
The painting, completed in 1660 by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, portrays the biblical scene of the Annunciation, showing the Virgin Mary and the angel Gabriel in a domestic interior that includes a vase and an open book. These objects function as symbolic attributes associated with the event’s narrative. Executed in oil on canvas, the work belongs to the religious genre and was originally owned by Charles III of Spain and Elisabeth Farnese before being acquired by the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display.
Technique & Style
The Annunciation by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, painted in 1660, is executed in oil on canvas. The work measures 125 cm in height and 103 cm in width, typical of Murillo’s mature religious compositions. Oil paint was applied to a stretched canvas support, allowing the delicate modeling of figures and the subtle rendering of light that characterize the Baroque style.
The painting depicts the moment of the Annunciation with the Virgin Mary, an angel, a vase and an open book, emphasizing devotional intimacy. It entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, having previously belonged to Charles III of Spain and Elisabeth Farnese.
History & Provenance
The work titled The Annunciation was executed by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo in 1660 using oil on canvas, measuring 125 cm in height and 103 cm in width. It entered the Spanish royal collection, being owned initially by King Charles III and subsequently by his consort, Elisabeth Farnese. The painting remained in the royal household before being accessioned by the Museo del Prado, where it has been part of the museum’s permanent display.
Its subject matter depicts the biblical moment of the Annunciation, featuring Mary, the angel, a vase and a book.
The Annunciation by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. The work is cataloged under the inventory number P00970. Historical records indicate the painting was previously owned by Charles III of Spain and Elisabeth Farnese before entering the museum's holdings.
Overview
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo’s The Annunciation, completed in 1660, is an oil painting that captures the biblical moment when the archangel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will conceive the Son of God. This work is characteristic of the Spanish Baroque style, for which Murillo was a leading exponent in the 17th century. The painting is a significant piece within the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
Context
While Murillo is widely recognized for his extensive body of religious paintings, including numerous depictions of the Virgin Mary and saints, his artistic output also encompassed genre scenes. These works often portrayed everyday life, focusing on women and children, offering a glimpse into 17th-century Spanish society. The Annunciation exemplifies his mastery in conveying sacred narratives with both reverence and human emotion.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo ( mure-IL-oh, m(y)uu-REE-oh, Spanish:; late December 1617, baptised 1 January 1618 – 3 April 1682) was a Spanish Baroque painter.
