Who painted The Annunciation (L'Annonciation)?

The Annunciation (L'Annonciation) was painted by Carlos Schwabe in 1893.

Where can I see The Annunciation (L'Annonciation)?

The Annunciation (L'Annonciation) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Annunciation (L'Annonciation)?

The Annunciation (L'Annonciation) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Annunciation (L'Annonciation)?

Museum-quality prints of The Annunciation (L'Annonciation) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Annunciation (L'Annonciation)

Carlos Schwabe , 1893

The Annunciation (L'Annonciation) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Carlos Schwabe. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:recto: in stone, at lower right: CS 93; at lower right, in graphite: CS 7; verso: none
Markings: Marked:recto: L'Estampe Originale (Lugt 819)

About this work

Overview

Carlos Schwabe’s 1893 lithograph titled L’Annonciation depicts a quiet, devotional scene rendered on China paper. The composition is divided between a kneeling woman on the left and a celestial messenger on the right, both bathed in a palette of subdued, pastel tones that give the work a tranquil, almost reverie-like atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The kneeling figure, her hair cascading down her back, raises her head and extends her hands in a gesture of reception, suggesting the biblical moment when the Virgin Mary learns of her forthcoming role. Opposite her, a winged being, presumably the Angel Gabriel, holds a candle, its serene expression underscoring the theme of divine revelation and humility.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph on delicate China paper, Schwabe employs fine line work and gentle washes to achieve a soft focus. The muted coloration and ethereal lighting align the piece with Symbolist tendencies, while the overall dreamlike quality hints at the influence of late‑19th‑century Impressionist approaches to atmosphere and mood.

History & Provenance

Created in 1893, the print reflects Schwabe’s interest in religious subjects during his mature period. While specific ownership records are sparse, the work has appeared in several European collections of Symbolist prints and is frequently cited in studies of Schwabe’s printmaking output, illustrating his engagement with spiritual narrative through the lithographic medium.