The Annunciation
Maker
(Artists)
1422-1457
1422-1457
Title
The Annunciation
Date of Production
c. 1450-53
Medium
tempera on panel
Dimensions
Height: 20.3 cm
Width: 14.4 cm
Width: 14.4 cm
Accession Number
P.1966.GP.313
Mode of Acquisition
Gambier Parry, bequest, 1966
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Location
On display
Keywords
Related Works
Label Text
Working in Florence, Pesellino specialised in small-scale pictures for private devotion. The Annunciation was a common theme for such works. The angel Gabriel appears to the Virgin Mary outside her chamber, telling her she will soon give birth to the son of God.
This two-part painting, or diptych, is one of Pesellino’s most exquisite works. Pesellino was admired for his precise style and the high quality of the materials he used. Mary’s robe, for example, is painted with ultramarine, an expensive pigment made from lapis lazuli, a semi-precious blue stone imported from Afghanistan. The lush colours and detailed depiction draw the viewer in, creating a sense of intimacy and heightened emotion.
This two-part painting, or diptych, is one of Pesellino’s most exquisite works. Pesellino was admired for his precise style and the high quality of the materials he used. Mary’s robe, for example, is painted with ultramarine, an expensive pigment made from lapis lazuli, a semi-precious blue stone imported from Afghanistan. The lush colours and detailed depiction draw the viewer in, creating a sense of intimacy and heightened emotion.
Provenance
Bought in Italy by Irvine; William Buchanan; William Coningham sale, Christie's, 9.vi.1849 (lot 44 - as Albertinelli); bought in, and acquired the same year by Thomas Gambier Parry through Colnaghi's; by descent to Mark Gambier-Parry; Gambier-Parry Bequest 1966
Exhibition History
Pesellino: A Renaissance Master Revealed, National Gallery, London, 07/12/2023-10/03/2024
The Courtauld at the National Gallery, National Gallery, London, 27/03/2019-05/08/2019
Creating a Renaissance Identity - Fra Carnevale, Fillipo Lippi
and the Court of Urbino, Metropolitan Museum of Art & New York & US, 31/01/2005-01/05/2005 ...More
Creating a Renaissance Identity - Fra Carnevale, Fillipo Lippi
and the Court of Urbino, Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan, 12/10/2004-10/01/2005
Part of general displays, J Paul Getty Museum & Los Angeles & USA, 08/01/2004-21/04/2004 ...Less
The Courtauld at the National Gallery, National Gallery, London, 27/03/2019-05/08/2019
Creating a Renaissance Identity - Fra Carnevale, Fillipo Lippi
and the Court of Urbino, Metropolitan Museum of Art & New York & US, 31/01/2005-01/05/2005 ...More
Creating a Renaissance Identity - Fra Carnevale, Fillipo Lippi
and the Court of Urbino, Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan, 12/10/2004-10/01/2005
Part of general displays, J Paul Getty Museum & Los Angeles & USA, 08/01/2004-21/04/2004 ...Less
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