The Annunciation (detail) 1515

This is a detail of ‘The Annunciation’ painted by Matthias Grünewald in Germany, sometime in the early 16th century. The scene of the Angel Gabriel telling Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus Christ was a standard subject for artists at this time, but Grünewald treats the scene in a way that breaks with convention. The angel is set within a detailed architectural space, with a large decorated window indicating that the scene is taking place in a contemporary church. Grünewald has set the key religious event within a space that would be instantly recognizable to his audience. The churches that commissioned paintings like this were powerful social institutions and the art they contained offered a view on the world. Historical resources can give us a better understanding of the beliefs and values that underpin artistic expression.