Annunciation 1464

Piero della Francesca made this fresco of the Annunciation in the Basilica of San Francesco, Arezzo, sometime in the 15th century. The painting depicts the moment when the angel Gabriel informs Mary that she will conceive and bear a son, Jesus. This scene was a popular subject for Renaissance artists, but Piero's approach is notable for its restrained emotion and architectural setting. The fresco is part of a larger cycle depicting the Legend of the True Cross, commissioned by one of the wealthiest families in Arezzo to restore their social standing after a series of financial and political setbacks. Note God the Father watching the scene from above. The choice of this subject reflects a desire to reassert traditional religious values and affirm the legitimacy of established power structures. The Legend of the True Cross was part of a wider campaign of artistic patronage aimed at reinforcing social and political stability in a rapidly changing world. Historical documents help us to understand better the patron’s motivation.