The Annunciation, with Gabriel and other angels at left and God the Father above 1687 - 1717

"The Annunciation, with Gabriel and other angels at left and God the Father above", was made by Giacomo-Maria Giovannini some time between 1667 and 1717. This engraving depicts the Annunciation, a pivotal scene in Christian theology where the angel Gabriel informs Mary that she will conceive and bear the son of God. Consider the historical context: Giovannini, working in a patriarchal society, engages with a narrative that places a woman at the center of divine intervention. Mary is often seen as a symbol of purity and submission, but also as a figure of strength. How might the artist's own beliefs or societal pressures shaped his representation of Mary? Notice her posture, the way she holds the book, and the expressions of the angels—each detail contributes to a complex interpretation of power, divinity, and the feminine ideal. How does Giovannini's representation challenge or reinforce existing societal norms around gender and faith? The emotional depth of the artwork resides in this tension.