The Annunciation (The Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Annunciate)

Italian (Reminese School), c. 1420-1470
c. 1445-1450
tempera painting on lindenwood panel, thinned and cradled in non-period engaged moldings

The two panels that comprise the Annunciation at the CMA were previously attributed to the “Master of the Louvre Life of the Virgin.” This refers to a series of twelve paintings at the Louvre museum in Paris illustrating the life of Mary. When the artist of these panels was identified as Giovanni Francesco di Rimini, the Columbia Annunciation was also attributed to the same Italian master. This two panel painting, when combined with the Louvre series, likely made up one large altarpiece, with The Annunciation also being detachable for use in personal devotion. Fifteenth century viewers of this piece would have recognized the humble, kneeling pose of Mary as showing the moment when she submits herself to the will of God to become the mother of Christ.