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The Annunciation

Jacques Callot

1631

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

The Annunciation is a 1631 ink by Jacques Callot, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1631 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This etching depicts the Annunciation, a pivotal scene in Christian art. In the foreground, an angel with large wings and a radiant aura stands before the Virgin Mary, who is seated on a bed. The angel's right hand is extended, and his left hand holds a lily, symbolizing purity. The Virgin Mary, dressed in a long robe, looks up at the angel with her hands clasped together in prayer. The scene is set in a simple room with a high ceiling and a large window on the left side. The room is furnished with a bed, a chair, and a table, creating a sense of intimacy and domesticity. The use of etching on laid paper creates a sense of texture and depth, adding to the overall mood of the scene. For more information on the artist's technique, look up the art of etching.