Annunciation and Adoration of the Magi 1424

Fra Angelico painted this small panel depicting the Annunciation and the Adoration of the Magi around 1430 using tempera on wood. In the upper register, the angel Gabriel approaches Mary. These figures, set against a gold ground, are haloed, symbols of divine grace, which appear in Byzantine mosaics and continue to appear in Renaissance paintings. Below, the three Magi offer their gifts to the newborn Christ. Notice the halo above Christ's head; these shining circles are ancient symbols, found even in pre-Christian art to signify the divine spark within rulers or gods. These symbols, like the golden background that flattens the space and elevates the scene to the divine, connect this Florentine altarpiece to a long history of images. They evoke a collective memory, engaging viewers on a deeply subconscious level. In the cyclical progression of symbols, meanings evolve, are forgotten, and resurface anew. Each reappearance enriches the symbol with layers of historical and cultural significance.