The Annunciation 1475 - 1505

Alesso di Benozzo's "The Annunciation" (1475-1505) is a small-scale painting depicting the moment the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will give birth to Jesus. The figures are depicted kneeling in a tiled courtyard, a classic Renaissance setting, with a dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, hovering above Mary. The scene is bathed in a soft, golden light, further enhancing the painting's devotional and spiritual quality. This intimate portrayal of the Annunciation, a central event in Christian faith, was likely intended for private devotion. The painting is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.