Studies for an Annunciation [recto] 

Palma il Giovane created this pen and brown ink drawing, "Studies for an Annunciation," likely in Venice in the late 16th or early 17th century. Il Giovane produced this drawing during the Counter-Reformation. Religious artwork served as propaganda, and aimed to create a clear distinction between the Catholic Church and emerging Protestant faiths. Here, the figures of Mary and the angel Gabriel are sketched multiple times, capturing various emotional states and poses, perhaps seeking a way to elicit maximum devotion. The focus on Mary's receptivity, as shown in the sketched studies of her emotional reactions, aligns with the period’s emphasis on female piety and submission to divine will. While seemingly reinforcing traditional gender roles, the drawing also captures the intensity and emotional complexity of a pivotal moment for Christianity and the divine feminine. The artist invites us to consider how faith and identity intersect.