Artwork
Triptychon, linker Flügel: Verkündigung an Maria
Triptychon, linker Flügel: Verkündigung an Maria is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Master of 1518. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The left wing of a 1530 triptych, titled Verkündigung an Maria, depicts a biblical annunciation scene rendered in oil on panel.
About this work
Overview
The left wing of a 1530 triptych, titled Verkündigung an Maria, depicts a biblical annunciation scene rendered in oil on panel. Executed by the anonymous Master of 1518, the work belongs to the Antwerp Mannerist tradition, characterized by elaborate costumes and theatrical compositions. It is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s collection in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents two female figures within an opulently appointed interior. The kneeling woman gestures toward a scroll bearing the words “FAE + GRATIA,” while the seated figure studies an open book on a table. The iconography suggests a moment of divine revelation, likely the Angel’s announcement to Mary, conveyed through textual symbols of grace and faith.
Technique & Style
A pronounced chiaroscuro effect isolates the women’s faces and hands, casting the surrounding space in deep shadow. Gold leaf accents and a tall, ornate candlestick enhance the sumptuous atmosphere. The handling of light, intricate detailing, and elongated figures align with the flamboyant, courtly aesthetic typical of early 16th‑century Flemish Mannerism.
History & Provenance
The artist’s notname derives from a dated altarpiece in Lübeck, though the painter’s true identity remains debated, with scholars proposing Jan Mertens the Younger, Jan van Dornicke, or a collaborative workshop. The work is grouped with other unsigned panels attributed to the Master of 1518 on stylistic grounds, and it entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings in the 19th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
The Master of 1518 is a Flemish painter belonging to the stylistic school of Antwerp Mannerism.
