Annunciation (detail) 1534

This is a detail of the Annunciation, made by Francesco de' Rossi, also known as Salviati, sometime in the 16th century and located here in San Francesco a Ripa, Rome. Born in Florence, Salviati’s training in the classical style is evident here, but it’s fascinating to consider the politics of the time. The Renaissance was a period of immense change, a time when gender roles were fixed, but there was space to express oneself as an artist. Here, the angel is not the traditionally masculine figure of earlier Annunciations; there’s a real androgyny to this angel. The angel’s gaze is soft, and it is kneeling in supplication. Look closely at the angel’s face; there is a quiet, almost somber expression. The angel is caught in a moment of introspection. What might it mean to reimagine traditional narratives through a lens that allows for a wider expression of gender? Salviati’s angel invites us to ponder the complexities of identity and representation, challenging us to expand our understandings of art history.