Artwork

Laurentius-Altar: Verkündigung an Maria

Laurentius-Altar: Verkündigung an Maria, by Michael Pacher, wood, 1467
Laurentius-Altar: Verkündigung an Maria, by Michael Pacher, wood, 1467

Laurentius-Altar: Verkündigung an Maria is a wood painting by the Early Renaissance artist Michael Pacher. It dates from 1467 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1467 by the Tyrolean artist Michael Pacher, the Laurentius‑Altar: Verkündigung an Maria is a wooden panel that forms part of an altarpiece.

Created in 1467 by the Tyrolean artist Michael Pacher, the Laurentius‑Altar: Verkündigung an Maria is a wooden panel that forms part of an altarpiece. Executed during the early Renaissance, the work presents the biblical moment of the Annunciation within a modestly lit interior. It is presently conserved in the Alte Pinakothek, Munich, where it remains a key example of Pacher’s religious commissions.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates the Angel Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the Christ child, a theme recurrent in Christian iconography. Gabriel, robed in red and gold, holds a white lily, a symbol of Mary's purity, while Mary, veiled and dressed in dark red, receives the message with folded hands, emphasizing her humility and acceptance.

Technique & Style

Pacher employed the medium of painted wood, integrating fine brushwork with sculptural modeling to achieve a three‑dimensional effect. The figures are rendered with delicate chiaroscuro, creating a subdued atmosphere that highlights the luminous red wings of the angel and the soft folds of the drapery. The piece reflects early Renaissance influences, notably in its spatial arrangement and naturalistic detail, uncommon in contemporary Northern European altarpieces.

History & Provenance

After its completion for a local altar in the late 15th century, the work entered various collections before being acquired by the Bavarian State. It has been part of the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings since the museum’s early acquisitions, where it continues to be displayed as part of the museum’s Northern Renaissance assemblage.

Annunciation
Annunciation, Alesso Baldovinetti

Artist & collection

Artist

Michael Pacher

Michael Pacher (c. 1435 – August 1498) was a painter and sculptor from Tyrol active during the second half of the fifteenth century. He was one of the earliest artists to introduce the principles of Renaissance painting…

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Laurentius-Altar: Verkündigung an Maria?

Laurentius-Altar: Verkündigung an Maria was painted by Michael Pacher in 1467.

Where can I see Laurentius-Altar: Verkündigung an Maria?

Laurentius-Altar: Verkündigung an Maria is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Laurentius-Altar: Verkündigung an Maria?

Laurentius-Altar: Verkündigung an Maria is associated with Early Renaissance.