The Annunciation c. 1510 - 1520

Hans Schäufelein created this round stained-glass panel depicting “The Annunciation” sometime in the early 16th century. The composition is neatly bisected into two distinct zones, and the architecture, combined with the figures of the angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary, creates a symmetrical division that structures the scene. The intense use of colour, particularly reds and blues, against the lighter backgrounds directs our eyes and contributes to the panel’s semiotic construction. The angel, rendered in vibrant red, occupies the left. Mary, swathed in deep blue, occupies the right, each colour coding their distinct divine roles. The column signifies a transition from the divine to the human, acting as a visual hinge. Note the circular form, which frames the scene, not only reinforcing the composition’s unity, but also echoing contemporary philosophical ideas about perfection and the divine. The colour and form invites a deeper engagement with the cultural and religious narratives that shape our understanding of the world.