The Annunciation, predella panel from the Altarpiece of St Mark 1490

Sandro Botticelli painted "The Annunciation" as a predella panel for the Altarpiece of St Mark in Florence. The city's religious and political institutions shaped the production and function of such artworks. The panel depicts the Angel Gabriel informing Mary that she will conceive and bear the son of God. Botticelli uses visual codes to convey meaning. The open space beyond Mary suggests a world open to change, and the angel's dynamic pose contrasts with Mary's more reserved posture, signifying the momentous nature of the divine message. Painted during the early Renaissance, this work reflects the humanist values of Florence. It marks a move towards naturalism in art, yet it remains embedded in its religious context. We can study the patronage records and theological texts of the time to better understand the complex interplay of social, religious and artistic factors that shaped Botticelli's work. Art is never made in a vacuum.