The Annunciation
1750
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1750
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
The Annunciation is a 1750 by Giovanni Vitalba, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This print shows a woman kneeling on a stone floor, looking up as a winged figure leans toward her. The room has a small table with a book and a vase, and a window in the background lets in dim light. Outside, a building and a bird in flight are faintly visible. The woman’s hands are folded, and the angel’s face is gentle as it hovers close. The artist used strong contrasts between light and dark to make the scene feel dramatic. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works.
