Annunciation angel Gabriel 1468

Carlo Crivelli rendered this panel depicting the Annunciation in tempera on wood, around 1486. Here, the angel Gabriel appears bearing a lily, a symbol of purity and innocence, central to the narrative. The gesture of Gabriel raising his right hand is not merely a blessing but a profound invocation. This motif, found echoed in ancient Roman orators, evolved through Byzantine art, where it signified divine pronouncements. The raised hand, a symbol of power and authority, transcended its original context, recurring throughout history in depictions of emperors, saints, and even political leaders. Its recurring presence in art suggests a deep, subconscious recognition of its power, a visual echo resonating across centuries, adapting and evolving, yet eternally linked to its primal message of authority. This image powerfully engages us on a deep, subconscious level by invoking these potent symbols.