Who painted The Annunciation?

The Annunciation was painted by Jacques Callot in 1634.

Where can I see The Annunciation?

The Annunciation is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Annunciation?

The Annunciation is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Annunciation

Jacques Callot , 1634

The Annunciation is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1634 by Jacques Callot, a French baroque printmaker from Lorraine, this work is an etching executed on laid paper. It presents the biblical moment when the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Christ child, rendered with a careful balance of figure and surrounding landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The composition places a kneeling female figure, holding a book, before an angel whose outstretched hand emphasizes the divine message. Light emanates from behind the angel’s wings, casting a gentle glow that underscores the spiritual significance of the encounter while the woman's composed yet startled expression conveys both reverence and human surprise.

Technique & Style

Callot employed the traditional etching process, incising fine lines into a copper plate with a needle before applying ink and pressing the image onto paper. The precision of his line work, especially in the delicate folds of the robes and the intricate foliage in the background, retains a remarkable sharpness after four centuries.

History & Provenance

Part of Callot’s prolific output—over fourteen hundred etchings documenting both everyday life and sacred themes—this print reflects his reputation as a leading old‑master printmaker. Produced in the early 1630s, it has circulated among collectors of baroque prints and is documented in several museum collections specializing in early modern graphic art.