Annunciation 1510

Antoniazzo Romano made this fresco of the Annunciation in Rome, sometime in the late 15th century. The painting depicts the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she will conceive and bear a son, Jesus. It's hard to overstate the importance of the Catholic Church as an institution in Rome at this time. Patronage from the Church was essential for artists, as it dictated not only what subjects they painted, but also how and where their works would be seen. You'll see here how Antoniazzo deploys a visual language that would have resonated with the established norms and expectations of the time. The iconography of God the Father, the dove representing the Holy Spirit, and the lily symbolizing Mary's purity, are all carefully arranged. Understanding this piece requires that we consider not only its formal elements, but also its place within the broader socio-political and religious landscape of Renaissance Rome. By consulting historical documents, theological treatises, and contemporary accounts, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complex interplay of forces that shaped its creation.