Annunciatie 1626 - 1671

Curator: This engraving, “Annunciation,” is by Sebastien Bourdon and thought to have been created sometime between 1626 and 1671. You can find it here in the Rijksmuseum. What’s your first take? Editor: It’s dreamlike, wouldn't you say? The scene unfolds like a half-remembered vision. Curator: Bourdon was certainly attuned to theatrical drama, and the sharp contrasts of light and shadow add a dimension, even in monochrome. What do you see in that interplay? Editor: I'm struck by how he’s structured the composition. A forceful diagonal slash of light cuts across the frame, effectively splitting the earthly from the divine. The light emanates, it seems, directly from the host of heavenly figures, washing over Mary. Curator: Light here almost has a tangible presence, doesn't it? Bourdon really guides the viewer's eye—from the almost chaotic activity of the angel down to the still composure of Mary. It suggests a kind of funnel between those realms. Editor: Precisely. The textural detail adds another layer to this. From the feathery wings of the angel to the crisp folds of the drapery, the detail is meticulously rendered and amplifies the drama. It makes the ethereal, almost tangible. Curator: Do you find that Baroque drama compelling here? I'm not always fully convinced, and think that despite Bourdon’s aptitude as an engraver, his composition seems unresolved at times. Editor: Possibly so, and one might perceive a certain stylistic restlessness typical of engravings during the Baroque. Nevertheless, looking at the piece, I feel grounded in a long tradition while at the same time prompted to rethink these pivotal, transcendent stories. Curator: A wonderful tension to end on. Thank you. Editor: My pleasure!