The Annunciation 1445 - 1455

Petrus Christus's *The Annunciation* (1445-1455) depicts the moment the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God. The meticulously detailed painting, notable for its realism and attention to perspective, showcases Mary in a domestic setting, emphasizing the human aspect of the divine event. The composition is rich in symbolism: the dove, representing the Holy Spirit, descends through a ray of light, while lilies, symbolizing purity, are prominently featured. This masterpiece of Northern Renaissance art is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.