Annunciation 1445

Filippo Lippi painted this Annunciation on wood panel. The angel Gabriel's arrival to Mary is here marked by the white lilies he carries, symbols of purity and the Virgin's innocence. This motif, echoing through centuries, reminds us of similar presentations in earlier Byzantine icons, where purity was similarly crucial. The gesture of Mary, caught between surprise and acceptance, has an emotional depth that reverberates through history, mirroring the intense emotional states seen in figures from classical antiquity. Consider, too, the dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, often depicted descending from above. This symbol finds parallels in various cultural depictions of divine intervention, evoking a sense of awe and mystery. These symbols, passed down through history, shift and evolve, yet retain a core of their original meaning. They engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level, stirring profound emotions and memories. It is a cyclical progression, resurfacing and evolving in different historical contexts.