Annunciation 1610

El Greco created this large-scale painting, Annunciation, with oil on canvas sometime between 1576 and 1614. The very technique of oil painting, with its capacity for layering and luminous effects, contributes to the ethereal quality of the scene. Notice how the artist has built up the forms with loose, expressive brushwork. This process is particularly evident in the swirling clouds of the heavens and the rippling folds of the Angel Gabriel's robe. The way the paint has been applied lends a dynamic, almost frenzied quality to the image. This wasn't just a matter of aesthetic preference, but also tied to the social context in which El Greco was working. As a painter catering to the demands of patrons and the church, the artist was under pressure to produce works quickly and efficiently. The visible brushstrokes, the bold use of color – these are not just stylistic choices. They are also evidence of the working process, the artist's direct engagement with his materials. Ultimately, understanding the material and the means of production is crucial to appreciating the Annunciation. It challenges us to consider the labour, the social forces, and the artistic decisions that shaped its creation.