Artwork
The Annunciation
The Annunciation is an ink print by the Baroque artist Sébastien Bourdon. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper center in image: Seb. Bourdon invenit et fecit / ex. cum privil. Regis; lower center in plate: Quam grata vox Angeli non tam salutantis, quam nunciantis mox venturum pacis autorem
About this work
Overview
The Annunciation is a 1638 etching on laid paper by French artist Sébastien Bourdon, part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington.
Subject & Meaning
Depicting a serene indoor scene, the etching shows the Virgin Mary kneeling by a table, looking downward, as the Angel Gabriel hovers behind, identifiable by wings and a staff. The composition conveys Mary's contemplative response to the angel's divine message.
Technique & Style
Bourdon employed sharp etching lines to achieve detailed textures, evident in the folds of Mary's dress and the feathers of Gabriel's wings, creating a sense of depth in the dimly lit space.
History & Provenance
Created in 1638, the etching is part of Bourdon's religious-themed works, alongside notable paintings like The Crucifixion of St. Peter, commissioned for Notre Dame Cathedral.
Context
As a religious etching, The Annunciation reflects 17th-century European artistic preoccupations with biblical narratives, executed in a style consistent with the period's attention to detail and chiaroscuro.
Legacy
While specific impact of The Annunciation etching is not detailed, it contributes to Bourdon's overall legacy as a versatile French Baroque artist, active in both painting and printmaking.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Sébastien Bourdon (French pronunciation:; 2 February 1616 – 8 May 1671) was a French painter and engraver. His chef d'œuvre is The Crucifixion of St. Peter made for the cathedral of Notre Dame.
