Annunciatie 1679

Giovanni Battista Pasqualini etched this Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel appears to Mary, in the early 17th century. A dove, representing the Holy Spirit, descends from the heavens, while Gabriel extends a lily towards Mary, a symbol of her purity and the divine grace about to enter her life. Mary, in turn, responds with a gesture of humility and acceptance. This motif—the angel presenting a lily—echoes through centuries, seen in works from the Renaissance onward. Consider the lily itself, a symbol that predates Christianity, associated with fertility and rebirth in ancient cultures. Its adoption into Christian iconography represents a fascinating evolution, a palimpsest of meanings layered over time. This image engages us on a subconscious level, tapping into deeply rooted cultural memories and universal human emotions related to faith, destiny, and the unknown. And so, the Annunciation, through its symbols, continues to resonate, demonstrating the enduring power of images to traverse time and culture.