About this artwork
One of the very few Italian tapestries to survive from before the 1540s, The Annunciation depicts the archangel Gabriel announcing to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the son of God. This is one of the most sacred events in the Christian faith, as it is the very beginning of Christ’s life and the Incarnation of the Word. The scene is charged with symbolism: the moment of conception is represented by the dove—standing for the Holy Spirit—in the sky between Gabriel and Mary; the archangel holds a lily, a symbol of purity; and in the near foreground are a guinea fowl and a peacock, both of which signify immortality, and two doves that represent the souls of the blessed. The coats of arms at the top belong to Francesco II Gonzaga (1466–1519), marquis of Mantua, and were added at an unknown date after the initial weaving had taken place. Such personalization of tapestry acquisitions was typical among noble families.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Textiles
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Artist
- Circle of Andrea Mantegna (Designer)
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Title
- The Annunciation
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Place
- Mantua (Object made in:)
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Date
- Made 1484–1519
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Medium
- Wool, silk, and gilt- and silvered-metal-strip-wrapped silk, slit, dovetailed and interlocking tapestry weave
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Dimensions
- 179.4 × 113.7 cm (70 5/8 × 44 3/4 in.)
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Credit Line
- Bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson
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Reference Number
- 1937.1099
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/111307/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
