The Annunciation 1430

"The Annunciation" by Robert Campin, a leading figure in Early Netherlandish painting, depicts the moment when the Angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the Son of God. Painted in 1430, the work is notable for its realistic depiction of a domestic interior, the attention to detail, and the use of light and shadow. The scene is set in a modest room with a tiled floor, a window with shutters, and a fireplace, emphasizing the everyday life into which the divine intervenes. Mary's startled yet accepting pose, and the angel's gentle gesture of pointing to his chest, add to the poignant nature of the artwork.