The Annunciation c. 1660

Karel Dujardin created this painting of the Annunciation, date unknown, which you can see here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The composition immediately strikes you with its division between celestial and earthly realms. Soft, diffused light envelops the angel and cherubic figures on the left, contrasting with the more structured, shadowed space inhabited by Mary on the right. Dujardin uses color to further emphasize this divide. Earthy tones dominate the angel’s robes and wings, while Mary is depicted in deep blues and reds, grounded by the architectural elements behind her. This juxtaposition creates a visual dialogue, reflecting the divine breaking into the human sphere. The angel’s dynamic pose and flowing garments introduce movement, countered by Mary’s gesture of surprise. In this contrast, Dujardin explores the tension between acceptance and resistance, a pivotal moment captured through the formal language of Baroque painting.