Artwork
The Annunciation
The Annunciation is an oil painting by the Early Renaissance artist Lorenzo di Credi. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.
About this work
Overview
The Annunciation, a painting by Lorenzo di Credi, dates to around 1490. Created in the early Renaissance style, it is a representation of the biblical annunciation scene, now housed in the Uffizi Gallery.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the moment when the angel Gabriel informs Mary that she will bear the son of God. Mary, dressed in blue with a white head covering, and Gabriel, in a red robe with large wings, engage in a gesture of announcement and acceptance, symbolized by the lily in Gabriel's hand and Mary's held book.
Technique & Style
Di Credi employs strong chiaroscuro, contrasting light and dark to create a sense of three-dimensional form. The composition features architectural elements, such as arched windows overlooking a landscape, adding depth to the indoor scene.
History & Provenance
Trained under Andrea del Verrocchio alongside Leonardo da Vinci, Lorenzo di Credi succeeded Verrocchio as head of the workshop after his death in 1488. The Annunciation reflects this lineage, produced during di Credi's tenure in Florence.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lorenzo di Credi (1456/59 – January 12, 1537) was an Italian Renaissance painter and sculptor best known for his paintings of religious subjects, and portraits.
