Annunciation c. 1610 - 1615

germany

possibly oil pastel

oil painting

acrylic on canvas

underpainting

animal portrait

animal drawing portrait

portrait drawing

facial portrait

portrait art

fine art portrait

"Annunciation," painted by Hans Rottenhammer around 1610-1615, depicts the moment the angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the Son of God. The scene is characterized by a dramatic use of light and shadow, emphasizing the divine presence. Mary's humble pose and gesture of surprise contrast with the angel's confident announcement, highlighting the momentous nature of the event. The inclusion of a dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, further enhances the religious theme. Rottenhammer’s painting reflects the artistic trends of the early 17th century, combining elements of Mannerism and Baroque style. It’s a small-scale artwork, measuring 9 1/4 x 7 inches, making it a more intimate portrayal of a pivotal event in Christian faith.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Rottenhammer was born in Munich. By 1591 he had made his way to Rome, where he became quite successful at painting devotional and allegorical images on copper, often in collaboration with the Flemish landscape painters Jan Breughel I (1568-1625) and Paul Bril (1554-1626). In 1596 he settled in Venice for a decade, and by 1606, he was permanently residing in Augsburg. Rottenhammer's recipe for success consisted in adapting the motifs of the Venetian school of painting and rearranging them in a small format, with attention to detail and an astute appreciation of the brilliant Venetian palette. These precious and portable works became coveted collector's items in the 17th century.