Annunciation

Abstract

These two painted wood sculptures, which once formed an Annunciation, have suffered extensive damage. Gabriel has lost the left arm and some fingers on the right, as well as wings, but Mary has suffered more drastically, as the originally full length figure has been cut to form a bust. The simple carving on the angel's clothing, and the fact that both figures wear a dress or tunic, but no mantle (nor, in Mary's case, veil), suggests that both were originally dressed with real clothes, which would have added to the drama of the tableau. The angel -- eyes wide, arms outstretched, and lips slightly parted -- seems to be delivering the good news, while Mary humbly bends her gaze downward, demuring about her worthiness. These works were housed in the Collegiata of San Gimignano until they were replaced by Jacopo della Quercia's Annunciation pair in 1421. Today they are in the Museo d'Arte Sacra in San Gimignano. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.