The Annnciation 1879

Edward Burne-Jones painted ‘The Annunciation,’ depicting the biblical scene of the angel Gabriel informing Mary that she will conceive and bear a son. Burne-Jones, as part of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, rejected the industrial age, seeking inspiration instead from medieval and early Renaissance art. This scene then, isn't set in biblical Palestine, but in a timeless, dream-like space. It references the past, but reimagines it through a Victorian lens. Mary, often rendered as submissive, is depicted here as a strong, statuesque figure. She stands tall, with a mix of apprehension and resolve. The angel too, is not a figure of divine authority but of serene beauty. Burne-Jones softens the traditional religious narrative. It emphasizes the human experience of faith, highlighting the emotional and psychological aspects of the encounter. 'The Annunciation' invites us to reflect on themes of destiny, faith, and the complex roles assigned to women in religious and social narratives.