Virgin of Annunciation 1420

Álvaro Pires de Évora’s “Virgin of Annunciation” presents a scene of profound stillness, rendered with tempera on panel. The composition is dominated by the Virgin Mary, enclosed within an ornate golden frame, lending a monumental quality to her figure. The artist employs contrasting textures to delineate form and meaning. The Virgin’s robe, a dense, matte black, serves to highlight the delicate modelling of her face and hands. Meanwhile, the gold-leaf background and frame, with their reflective surfaces and intricate details, serve to elevate the scene beyond the earthly. The dove representing the Holy Spirit, rendered in pale strokes, descends towards Mary, disrupting the symmetry of the piece and introducing a dynamic element. Évora’s work engages with the semiotic conventions of religious art. The colour choices and the stylized depiction of space convey symbolic meaning and invite viewers to contemplate the spiritual significance of the Annunciation. Consider how the interplay of form and symbol creates a visual language of faith, one that continues to speak across centuries.