Annunciation to the Virgin 1660 - 1680

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo’s “Annunciation to the Virgin,” painted sometime between 1660 and 1680, depicts the moment when the angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will conceive Jesus. The angel Gabriel, kneeling and gesturing towards Mary, holds lilies, a symbol of purity, and is surrounded by cherubic figures and a dove, representing the Holy Spirit. Mary, kneeling on a cushion, appears surprised and humbled by the angel's announcement. The golden light in the background symbolizes the divine presence. Murillo’s painting is characteristic of the Spanish Baroque style, with its dramatic use of light and shadow and its emotional intensity.