The Annunciation c. 1485 - 1487

Tilman Riemenschneider crafted this limewood sculpture of the Annunciation sometime in the late 15th or early 16th century, during a period of profound religious and social change. Riemenschneider, working in a society steeped in religious doctrine, infuses the scene with a palpable sense of humanity. The sculpture depicts Mary at a pivotal moment, her expression caught between surprise and acceptance. Kneeling at her prie-dieu, she becomes a vessel of divine will. Yet, her humanity is what resonates here. The sculpture invites us to consider the intersections of faith, gender, and power. Mary, a young woman, becomes central to Christian theology, challenging traditional patriarchal structures even as she submits to them. Riemenschneider's interpretation navigates these complexities. In doing so he offers a nuanced portrayal of female agency within the confines of religious expectation.