Study of the Annunciation 

This watercolor study by Edwin Austin Abbey depicts the Annunciation, a pivotal moment in Christian tradition. The artist's loose, gestural brushstrokes capture the scene within a grand, architectural setting, suggesting a church interior. The figures of the Virgin Mary and the Angel Gabriel are indicated in a sketchy manner, with their forms barely defined. The focus is on the dramatic space and the light that illuminates the scene, highlighting the artist's interest in the compositional possibilities of architectural spaces. Abbey's watercolor sketch of the Annunciation exemplifies his talent for capturing the essence of a scene in a few brushstrokes, revealing his artistic process and preliminary ideas.