This anonymous Flemish work depicts an episode taken from the Bible and more precisely the Gospel according to Saint Luke. It illustrates the Angel Gabriel announcing the Coming of Christ to Mary.
Although the story supposedly took place more than 2000 years ago, it is transposed here with realism and set in a typical 16th century, Renaissance-style Dutch interior. Gabriel, followed by a multitude of angels wearing liturgical copes, holds up the messenger’s staff to announce the word of God to the Virgin. Surprised, she raises her eyes from her illuminated manuscript representing Moses receiving the tablets of stone. As you can see, the vertical axis subtly separates the celestial world from the terrestrial world. This axis is suggested by the fleur de lys, symbolising the purity of the Virgin, and by the window overlooking a walled garden. It continues to the top of the painting with the dove of the Holy Spirit radiating its divine light. In the centre, the three embroidered cushions evoke the Trinity. And if you look at the garden in the background, you can make out the episode of the Visitation, when Mary announces she is pregnant to her cousin Elisabeth.
This painting testifies to the revival of the cult of Mary during the Dutch Golden age.