1566
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Annunciation is a 1566 ink by Cornelis Cort, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a dramatic scene with three main figures. On the left, a woman kneels in prayer, her hands folded. In the center, a winged figure hovers above her, holding a staff. To the right, another winged figure stands on a pedestal, gesturing toward the woman. Around them, smaller angels float in the sky, some holding objects. Notice how the artist uses fine lines to create shadows and texture—this is called cross-hatching. The scene feels crowded but controlled, with every figure precisely placed. Look up cross-hatching to see how artists build depth with just lines.
Cornelis Cort (c. 1533 – c. 17 March 1578) was a Dutch engraver and draughtsman. He spent the last 12 years of his life in Italy, where he was known as Cornelio Fiammingo.
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