Who painted The Annunciation?

The Annunciation was painted by Johann Koerbecke in 1457.

Where can I see The Annunciation?

The Annunciation is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is The Annunciation?

The Annunciation is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Annunciation?

Museum-quality prints of The Annunciation are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Annunciation

Johann Koerbecke , 1457

The Annunciation is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Johann Koerbecke. It dates from 1457 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

The composition is executed in oil on panel, later transferred to canvas, and forms part of a larger polyptych originally created for a Cistercian high altar.

The work depicts the biblical moment of the Annunciation, presenting an angel kneeling before a woman dressed in red. The angel, whose wings are rendered with a rainbow hue, holds a white lily, while the woman clasps her hands in a gesture of quiet astonishment. The composition is executed in oil on panel, later transferred to canvas, and forms part of a larger polyptych originally created for a Cistercian high altar.

Subject & Meaning

The scene illustrates the moment when the archangel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the Christ child, a theme central to Christian devotion. The lily symbolizes Mary's purity, and her subdued reaction reflects the humility and acceptance traditionally associated with the narrative.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a luminous glazing technique, applying thin layers of gold-infused pigment that catch the light and give the background a radiant quality. This method creates a sense of sacred space and elevates the figures from the earthly plane, characteristic of late medieval Northern European painting.

History & Provenance

Originally one of eight interior panels on the wings of Johann Koerbecke’s altarpiece for the Cistercian abbey of Marienfeld near Münster, the piece formed part of a larger ensemble that displayed relics and a gilded Virgin and Child when opened. The altarpiece was dismantled in the late 1600s; the wings were sawn apart in the early 1800s, separating the Annunciation panel from its companion Passion scenes.

Context

The altarpiece’s wings featured opulent gilded backgrounds and architectural motifs that enhanced the visual impact of the central shrine during feast days. When closed, the reverse sides presented more subdued Passion narratives set within naturalistic landscapes, reflecting the dual liturgical functions of the work.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Johann Koerbecke

Johann Koerbecke (c. 1415/20, Coesfeld or Münster - 13 June 1491, Münster) was a German Gothic painter of the Westphalian School. He is believed to have worked with the Master of the Schöppingen Altarpiece and the…