The Annunciation in Art
The image depicted does not move one to devotion, yet I like it on some level because The Virgin appears as an ordinary girl, praying. The angel appears in reverence for her dignity and purity. The scene takes place out doors, much in the manner of Byzantine icons, the structure is always the background. Perhaps the painter (Collier) was attempting to place the event in modern language to speak more clearly to contemporary, albeit secular sensibilities. Throughout the ages, religious iconography has portrayed environment of the scriptural events in contemporary terms, as well as the characters in the modern dress of the times, so this is nothing new.
What I like about it is the peace of the virgin figure, apprehended at prayer. She is completely ordinary and obviously quite young. She neither recoils in fear, nor is she wrapped in ecstasy at the angel’s pronouncement. Not that it was not an ecstatic moment, but everything is peaceful and intelligent.
I don’t think the Blessed Virgin was afraid in the conventional sense of the term. The Gospel says she was deeply troubled by the Angel’s greeting, yet we know she did not doubt his word. Troubled, she of course pondered the meaning and the angel immediately told her, “Have no fear…”
Perhaps in her humility she was surprised, troubled, wondering what his words meant, yet the Holy Virgin surely knew the prophecies, and if we believe some of the mystics and other stories, we know this was not her first encounter with an angel. So I like to believe the annunciation was calm, full of peace; both an intensely spiritual as well as a reasonable, intellectual exchange.
I love the art that depicts the glories of Our Lady, yet I also like to think of how very ordinary and simple her life was.
March 26th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Check out the Annunciation photo that I posted today. I found it using Google images. Can’t recall the artist.
But I like my saints and Jesus and the Holy Mother to look like they really looked/look.
Tanner, Henry Ossawa
The Annunciation
1898
Oil on canvas
57 x 71 1/2 in. (144.78 x 181.61 cm)
Philadelphia Museum of Art
March 26th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
I am not too fond of this picture. It reminds me of an editorial in our local rag last year where a protestant minister “dumbed” Mary down to being just some ordinary teen girl, nothing special, and certainly not ever-virgin and 100% not sinless. I wanted to cry when I read it - they insulted my mother.
March 26th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Angela and Ray - Thanks for the comments - I doubt this painting would move anyone to devotion.
March 27th, 2007 at 8:48 am
It looks like a Catholic school girl and a semiarian–probably a Legionary of Christ.
You’re right, it does not move one to devotion, but I can see it possibly inspiring young people to relate more with the Blessed Mother as a young person who was once very much like them–though sinless of course!