Annunciatie 1524 - 1590

This small, anonymous engraving depicts the Annunciation, a key scene in Christian theology. Here, the angel Gabriel, often represented by a dove as we see here, informs Mary that she will miraculously conceive and bear the son of God. Images like this one, produced in Europe, often in the Netherlands, served a vital function in shaping religious understanding and social norms. The kneeling posture and demure expression of Mary models ideal feminine behavior and submission to divine will, reflecting the patriarchal social structures prevalent at the time. The presence of the bible is also a clue that this print might have been aimed towards protestant audiences. Understanding this image requires us to investigate the religious, social, and economic context in which it was produced and consumed, using resources like period sermons, domestic advice manuals, and records of print distribution. The meaning of art is contingent on the institutions, historical context and social values of its time.