Who painted The Virgin Annunciate?

The Virgin Annunciate was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1497.

Where can I see The Virgin Annunciate?

The Virgin Annunciate is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Virgin Annunciate?

The Virgin Annunciate is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

The Virgin Annunciate

Albrecht Dürer , 1497

The Virgin Annunciate is an ink drawing by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1497 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s 1497 drawing, titled *The Virgin Annunciate*, presents a solitary figure of the Virgin Mary rendered in pen and brown ink on laid paper. The work captures a moment of the Annunciation, focusing exclusively on Mary’s reaction without the presence of the angelic messenger.

Subject & Meaning

In the composition, Mary is seated and appears startled, her expression conveying a blend of surprise and apprehension. By isolating her from Gabriel, Dürer emphasizes the personal, emotional impact of the divine announcement, inviting contemplation of the human response to a sacred event.

Technique & Style

Executed with pen and brown ink, the drawing relies on intricate cross‑hatching to model volume and texture. Dürer’s careful line work delineates the folds of Mary’s garment and the subtle shading of her features, demonstrating the artist’s mastery of a modest medium to achieve a high degree of realism.

History & Provenance

Created in the late fifteenth century, the drawing reflects Dürer’s early engagement with religious subjects. While specific ownership records are sparse, the work is recognized as part of Dürer’s oeuvre of devotional drawings that circulated among patrons and collectors in the German Renaissance.