Introduction to the Early Renaissance Masterpiece
The Annunciation is a painting widely attributed to the Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, dated to c. 1472-1476. This early work by Leonardo was completed in Florence while he was an apprentice in the studio of Andrea del Verrocchio. The painting depicts the Annunciation, a popular biblical subject in 15th-century Italy, and is considered one of Leonardo's youthful works.
The Artwork and its Significance
Measuring 98 x 217 cm, the Annunciation is painted using oil and tempera on a large poplar panel. The painting features the Archangel Gabriel kneeling before the Virgin Mary in a flourishing enclosed garden, symbolizing the hortus conclusus that alludes to Mary's purity. The angel holds a Madonna lily, a symbol of Mary's virginity and of the city of Florence. It is supposed that Leonardo originally copied the wings from those of a bird in flight, but they have since been lengthened by a later artist.
Leonardo da Vinci: The Artist
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was an Italian polymath known for his expertise in various fields, including painting, sculpture, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, writing, history, and cartography. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest painters of all time, and his works continue to inspire artists and art enthusiasts around the world.
The Uffizi Gallery: Home to the Annunciation
The Annunciation is housed in the prestigious Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most important Italian museums and the most visited, holding a collection of priceless works, particularly from the period of the Italian Renaissance. To learn more about the Early Renaissance art movement and explore various museums that house collections of Early Renaissance paintings, visit our Art Movements page.
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