Artwork
The Annunciation
The Annunciation is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Adriaen van der Werff. It dates from 1706 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
The Annunciation, a 1706 oil painting by Dutch artist Adriaen van der Werff, exemplifies the Rococo style with its depiction of a pivotal religious moment.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates the biblical scene of the Annunciation, where an angel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will bear a son. The serene angel, holding a white flower (likely a lily, symbolizing purity), conveys divine news to Mary, who is shown in contemplative receptivity, her hands clasped in prayer.
Technique & Style
Van der Werff employs chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark, to dramatically illuminate the figures against a somber background. This technique, combined with the soft, gentle facial expressions and the subtle play of light on the folds of Mary’s blue and gold robe, embodies the Rococo emphasis on elegance and emotional nuance.
History & Provenance
Created in 1706, The Annunciation is part of the collection at the Alte Pinakothek, Munich, reflecting the institution’s rich holdings of European Baroque and Rococo art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Adriaen van der Werff (21 January 1659 – 12 November 1722) was a Dutch painter of portraits and erotic, devotional and mythological scenes.
Cupid Kissing Venus (Venus Kissed by Amor)
God Holds Adam and Eve Responsible
A Nymph Dancing to a Shepherd's Flute-Playing
The Holy Family
Bubble-blowing Girl with a Vanitas Still Life
Virgin and Child with Saint John (chalk sketch)
Self-portrait with the Portrait of his Wife, Margaretha van Rees, and their Daughter Maria
Portrait of Johann Wilhelm Elector of Palatine (1658-1716)
