Artwork

Annunciazione

Annunciazione, by Pere Serra, unspecified, 1400
Annunciazione, by Pere Serra, unspecified, 1400

Annunciazione is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Pere Serra. It dates from 1400 and is held in the collection of the Pinacoteca di Brera.

About this work

Overview

Annunciazione is a religious genre painting created by Pere Serra, a Catalan painter, around 1400. Characterized by Gothic-Italian stylistic influences, it exemplifies the Catalan artistic tradition of its time, with noticeable parallels to contemporary Sienese painting.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a scene with two female figures, identified by their golden halos, within a room featuring a high, vaulted ceiling.

The painting depicts a scene with two female figures, identified by their golden halos, within a room featuring a high, vaulted ceiling. The figure on the right, dressed in a dark blue robe with a red sash, contemplates with a book, while the figure on the left, in a dark blue dress with a red headband, gestures towards a book on a stand. A small, circular image of a man is positioned in the upper left corner, potentially symbolizing a divine or narrative element.

Technique & Style

Annunciazione reflects Serra's adherence to Byzantine iconography while incorporating Catalan and Sienese influences. The use of dark blues, red accents, and golden halos highlights the work's Gothic-Italian aesthetic. Architectural details, such as arches and columns in the background, add depth and spatial complexity.

History & Provenance

Pere Serra, born into a painter's family and trained under Ramón Destorrents, created this work during his active period in Catalonia (1357-1406). The painting is currently housed in the Pinacoteca di Brera.

Context

As part of the broader Byzantine iconography movement, Annunciazione situates Serra within a network of artists influenced by Italian styles, particularly from Siena, while rooted in Catalan traditions.

Legacy

While specific lasting impacts of *Annunciazione* on subsequent art movements are not prominently documented, it remains a significant example of Catalan Gothic-Italian painting from the early 15th century, offering insights into the stylistic exchanges of the period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Pere Serra

Artist

Pere Serra

Pere Serra was a painter in Gothic-Italian style, who was active in Catalonia in 1357–1406.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Pinacoteca di Brera open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.