Artwork
The Annunciation
The Annunciation is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hendrick Goltzius. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:in image, on a plaque at bottom centre: HG / Ao. 1594.; in image, numbered to left of plaque at bottom center: 1; in image, on plaque at bottom left: SERENISSIMO PRINCIPI, AC IL- / LVSTRISSIMO DNO, D. GUILIELMO. V. / COMITI PALAT. RHE. UTRIUSQ. / BAVARIAE DUCI, etc. / Ut mediis Proteus se transformabat in undis, / Formosae cupido Pomonae captus amore: / Sic varia PRINCEPS TIBI nunc se Goltzius arte / Commutat, sculptor mirabilis, atque repertor. / C. Schonaeus (To the exalted Prince and August Lord, the lord William V, Count Palatine and Duke of the two Bavarias, etc. As Proteus changed amidst the waves out of burning love for the beautiful Pomona, so does Goltzius, the admirable engraver and inventor, with his varied art, for you, Oh Prince.); below image, in plate: Pone metum virgo, celsi tibi nuncius adsum / Missus ab arce poli, paries intacta stupente / Natura, ut veterum cecinêre oracula Vatum, / Teque Dei matrem totus venerabitur orbis. (Be not afraid, girl, I am here, sent as a messenger from the kingdom of heaven on high; a virgin, you shall bear a child to the astonishment of nature, according to the predictions of the ancient Prophets, and the whole world will worship you as the mother of God); below image, in plate at right: CJVisscher excudit. / N. 47 [Latin translations from Leeflang, Huigen, and Ger Luijten. _Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617): Drawings, Prints and Paintings._ Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum, 2003, p. 210.]
About this work
A ray of light from heaven holds a tiny Christ child, arms crossed.
Hendrik Goltzius carved this engraving in 1594. The angel Gabriel floats above Mary, one hand raised. A ray of light from heaven holds a tiny Christ child, arms crossed.
This print is made with cross-hatching. Tiny lines fill every inch to show soft folds and glowing skin. It looks almost like a painting, not a print.
The lines are so fine they feel alive. Look for the angel’s wing, every feather is separate. If you like crisp details, try Goltzius, Hendrick.
Overview
The Annunciation is an engraving on laid paper created by Hendrick Goltzius in 1594. It exemplifies the artist's skill as a leading figure in Dutch printmaking during the early Baroque period.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts the Annunciation, a pivotal scene in Christian tradition where the angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the son of God. The composition includes a ray of light from heaven bearing a tiny Christ child.
Technique & Style
Goltzius employed cross-hatching to achieve a highly detailed and nuanced effect, with intricate lines conveying texture and luminosity. The engraving's fine detail and rendering of soft folds and glowing skin create a painterly appearance.
Context
As a representative work of Northern Mannerism, The Annunciation showcases Goltzius's refined technique and dynamic composition, characteristic of the style.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
