Who painted Annunciation?

Annunciation was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1475.

Where can I see Annunciation?

Annunciation is held by Campana collection.

What movement is Annunciation?

Annunciation is associated with High Renaissance.

Artwork

Annunciation

Leonardo da Vinci , 1475

Annunciation is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. It dates from 1475 and is held in the collection of the Campana collection.

About this work

Overview

Leonardo’s early oil work portrays the biblical moment when the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God. Set within a modest courtyard, the composition balances the celestial messenger on the left with the Virgin on the right, creating a quiet, contemplative atmosphere that invites viewers into the intimate exchange.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures the theological encounter of the Annunciation: Gabriel, kneeling with expansive wings, extends a gesture toward Mary, who is shown in a blue mantle, hands clasped in prayer. The inclusion of a small, fragile blossom near the angel’s hand hints at purity and the forthcoming incarnation, reinforcing the spiritual significance of the dialogue.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the work demonstrates Leonardo’s nascent mastery of light and atmospheric perspective. Soft modeling of the figures, delicate chiaroscuro, and the subtle rendering of foliage and distant landscape reveal an early exploration of the naturalistic principles that would later define High Renaissance art.

History & Provenance

Created around 1475, the painting entered the collection of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, where it remains on public display. Its attribution to Leonardo has been affirmed through stylistic analysis and archival documentation linking the work to his Florentine period.

Context

The composition reflects the transitional phase between the late Gothic tradition and the emerging High Renaissance, combining a modest architectural setting with a heightened sense of spatial depth. Leonardo’s treatment of the Annunciation anticipates his later investigations into human emotion, anatomy, and the interplay of divine narrative within everyday surroundings.