Annunciatie 1594

Ventura Salimbeni created this image of the Annunciation as an engraving. We see the angel Gabriel delivering news to Mary, a scene that has been depicted countless times in Western art, but it is useful to remember the social function served by such images in their own time. This image hails from Italy; and while the exact date is unknown, Salimbeni was active during the Counter-Reformation. In this period, the Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its doctrines through art. Visual codes in paintings, sculptures, and engravings promoted key messages to believers and defended them against Protestant critiques. Here, Salimbeni uses established conventions to reinforce Catholic teachings about Mary's role as the mother of God and the divine nature of Christ. The study of religious imagery in the archives of the Church is crucial for understanding the role that images play in the history of social institutions.