The Annunciation (Schr. 2183a) 15th century

This woodcut print, "The Annunciation," now residing at the Met, presents a scene laden with symbolic weight. Here, the angel Gabriel approaches Mary, bearing a lily, symbol of purity, while the Holy Spirit descends. Consider the lily: from ancient Greece where it represented hope and renewal, to its adoption by Christianity as a symbol of the Virgin's innocence, this bloom carries the weight of centuries. We see it echoed in Renaissance paintings, each time subtly altered, yet retaining its core association with purity and divine favor. The halo, too, signifies sanctity, yet its depiction varies across cultures and eras. It is a visual language, conveying spiritual status. These symbols, while seemingly fixed, are in constant flux, reflecting the evolving cultural subconscious. They engage us on a primal level, tapping into shared memories and archetypal narratives. This is an ongoing dialogue between past and present.