Who painted The Angel of the Annunciation [recto]?

The Angel of the Annunciation [recto] was painted by Fra Bartolommeo in 1502.

Where can I see The Angel of the Annunciation [recto]?

The Angel of the Annunciation [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Angel of the Annunciation [recto]?

The Angel of the Annunciation [recto] is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Angel of the Annunciation [recto]

Fra Bartolommeo , 1502

The Angel of the Annunciation [recto] is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist Fra Bartolommeo. It dates from 1502 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1502, this drawing by Fra Bartolommeo depicts an angel poised in the moment of the Annunciation. Executed with pen and brown ink over black chalk on laid paper, the work captures a single celestial figure in mid‑gesture, its wings outstretched and robes billowing, conveying a sense of imminent divine action.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on the angelic messenger, a central element of the biblical Annunciation narrative. By isolating the figure, the artist emphasizes the spiritual urgency and grace of the moment when the divine message is delivered, inviting contemplation of the messenger’s role as a bridge between heaven and earth.

Technique & Style

Fra Bartolommeo employs swift, confident strokes, using swirling lines to suggest movement in the wings and fabric. Cross‑hatching builds subtle shadows, while the contrast between brown ink and the underlying black chalk creates depth. The drawing’s gestural quality conveys a dynamic, almost dance‑like motion within a compact, monochrome palette.

History & Provenance

The work, a preparatory sketch for a larger religious composition, remains on its original laid paper, which shows age‑related spots and creases where ink has settled. Its attribution to Fra Bartolommeo is based on stylistic analysis and the dating aligns with his early mature period in the early sixteenth century.