Annunciation, left wing 1430

Filippo Lippi made this panel of the Annunciation in Florence in the mid-15th century. The angel Gabriel approaches the Virgin Mary to announce that she will be the mother of Jesus. Paintings like this one, with their holy subjects, were often commissioned by wealthy families to adorn private chapels within their homes, or gifted to churches and monasteries. Lippi himself had a long and colourful relationship with religious institutions; he was a Carmelite friar who scandalously eloped with a nun. Here, Gabriel is caught mid-stride, bearing the symbolic lily. He is both ethereal and grounded. The architectural background, with its rounded arches, reflects the humanist interest in classical forms that was typical of the early Renaissance. By studying documents from the period, such as letters, diaries, and financial records, we can better understand the social forces that shaped Lippi's art and the expectations of his patrons. The meaning of art is always enriched by its historical context.