Annunciation From Angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary

BY CANAAN DECEMBER 17, 2020

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (Bible NIV Luke Chapter 1 verse30, 31)

The above are the words of the “Annunciation” that the angel told Mary. The name of the angel is Gabriel. Gabriel, the messenger of God, was sent to convey the word of God to the virgin Mary. Then, “announce” the “conception” to Mary. The Annunciation has been repeatedly expressed by artists as an important theme of Western art.

Speaking of the Annunciation, perhaps the most famous is the painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo da Vinci’s (1452-1519) early masterpiece is the Annunciation. This painting is in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. The painting was first exhibited in Japan in 2007, which attracted a lot of attention at that time. That year, I saw this “Annunciation” painting in Tokyo in the spring and in Florence in the fall. At the Tokyo National Museum, I had a hard time seeing it in a long line, but at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, it was impressive that it was normally exhibited as a single painting, just like any other painting.

The following painting is Leonardo da Vinci’s “Annunciation”. Known as Leonardo’s debut work. It is also said to be a work that clearly shows Leonardo’s production stance, which pursues realistic accuracy using perspective.

Leonardo was the person who created the concept of air perspective that “things in the distance change color and blur the boundaries.” He was convinced that understanding perspective was very important to art, he said “Practice is built only on a strong theory. Perspective is its guide and entrance. Without perspective,there is nothing you can expect from paintings . “

“Annunciation” Leonardo da Vinci
Uffizi Gallery (Florence, Italy) Around 1472
Source: Wikimedia Commons

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Enlarged version of the angel Gabriel

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Enlarged Mary　　

The “Notice of Conception” by the Florentine painter Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) is also famous. Gabriel with a lily flower depicts Maria showing a frustrating gesture.

The Annunciation Botticelli
Uffizi Gallery 1489-1490
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Mary, who seems to have been an inconspicuous person living in a small village called Nazareth, was chosen by God. How was Mary’s evaluation in the village? Maybe it wasn’t so much appreciated. But God valued Mary very much. As the Bible says , ” People see the surface, but the Lord sees the heart ” (1 Samuel 16: 7).

The angel Gabriel told Mary, “You have been blessed by God”. She was certainly a man specially chosen by God and blessed by God. Mary was given the amazing privilege of becoming the mother of the Savior Jesus.

Mary praises God. ” My soul praises the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Lord has taken notice of this lowly servant. Indeed, from now on, people of all ages You will think of me as a happy person. A powerful man has done great things to me. “(Luke 1: 46-49)

Annunciation From Angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary

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