1485
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Annunciation is a 1485 ink by Israhel van Meckenem, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows two figures in a dimly lit room with tall columns. On the left, a woman kneels in prayer, her hands folded. To the right, an angel with wings and a halo holds a staff and stands near a window, rays of light bursting behind him. The floor has a woven pattern, and the walls look like stone. The angel’s staff is topped with a cross, a common symbol in religious scenes. The light rays behind the angel’s head draw your eyes upward, making him look almost glowing. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this one used metal plates and sharp tools to create detailed prints.
Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445 – 10 November 1503), also known as Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, was a German printmaker and goldsmith, perhaps of a Dutch family origin. He was the most prolific engraver of the…
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