The Annunciation 1571

Mario Cartaro’s "The Annunciation" presents us with the Virgin Mary visited by an angel, bearing news from on high, rendered in ink on paper. The descending dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, is a motif that echoes through time. From ancient Roman depictions of Venus with doves, to its adoption in early Christian art, this symbol transcends cultures. Consider, too, the gesture of Mary, hand raised in acknowledgment or perhaps questioning; a motif reminiscent of ancient orators, yet here imbued with divine significance. Such gestures stir within us echoes of shared human experiences, inviting us to reflect on how these symbols resonate and shift across centuries, engaging our collective memory on a profound level. This symbol has been reshaped and reinterpreted, yet its core essence persists, resurfacing in art, literature, and our collective psyche.