The Annunciation 1556 - 1629

Antonio Aliense’s “The Annunciation,” is a drawing rendered in ink on paper, where the composition is immediately striking for its division into two distinct vertical panels. The left side bursts with dynamic activity, while the right side is anchored by the kneeling figure of Mary. The cloudscape is populated with cherubic faces that are created with almost calligraphic economy. Aliense guides our eyes through the composition using dramatic diagonals, from the angel’s commanding gesture to Mary’s humble posture, creating a visual dialogue across the divide. This structured layout emphasizes the narrative's crucial moment of divine communication. The drawing's formal structure—its division and directional forces—serves not just as an aesthetic choice but embodies the theological concepts of separation and divine intervention. It underscores the profound moment of change and acceptance. Thus, Aliense uses formal elements to structure a powerful narrative moment.