The Annunciation (Two Figures) c. 1944

Curator: The rough-hewn texture immediately gives these figures an earthy, humble quality. Editor: Indeed. We’re looking at "The Annunciation (Two Figures)" by Arnold Machin. Though undated, Machin lived from 1911 to 1999. Curator: The angel’s almost protective gesture and the child nestled in her robes… it's a powerful visual encoding of divine intervention, made strikingly human. Editor: It certainly pulls from art history. How do we see this playing into the narratives of religious imagery in the Tate collection? Curator: For me, this is about how we internalize archetypes, how these forms endure as vessels for our hopes and fears. Editor: A good point. They seem strangely contemporary, despite their subject matter. Curator: Exactly. That’s what makes them so compelling! Editor: Food for thought.