Annunciatie 1610 - 1638

Magdalena van de Passe created this engraving, "Annunciation," sometime in the early 17th century. The composition divides into two distinct realms: the earthly and the divine, yet the swirling clouds bring them together. Lines define shapes and forms with a remarkable clarity and precision. The scene presents a structured contrast. Mary sits in a defined architectural setting on the left, while the angel Gabriel appears amidst clouds on the right. The dove above unifies these halves, its radiating light penetrating the scene. The lines guide the viewer’s eye through the narrative, from Mary’s contemplative posture to the angel’s dynamic arrival. Look at how the texture of the clouds and the drapery add depth and realism. Engraving, as a medium, relies on the tension between black and white to create form. Van de Passe uses this to full effect, constructing a scene that invites the viewer to contemplate the convergence of the divine and the everyday. The crispness of the lines mirrors the theological precision of the subject, highlighting the era's intellectual engagement with religious themes.