Annunciatie 1594 - 1598

Jacob Matham created this black chalk "Annunciatie" on paper sometime around the late 16th or early 17th century. The composition is divided vertically, with the angel Gabriel on the left and Mary on the right, linked by a divine light cascading from above. Matham masterfully uses contrasting textures to create a sense of depth and drama. The angel's robes billow with soft, flowing lines, while the cloud beneath him is rendered with dense, swirling strokes, punctuated by the faces of cherubic figures. The linear quality of the engraving emphasizes the ethereal nature of the scene, juxtaposing the divine with the human. The light breaks down traditional notions of space, and the semiotic weight is clear: the lily symbolizes purity, while the gesture of Gabriel's raised hand directs our gaze towards the heavens, all components creating a structured narrative.