The Annunciation by Fra Angelico - the transition from the Gothic period into the Renaissance.

The Annunciation was painted by Fra Angelico (c. 1438-1447) for the Convent of San Marco, Florence (around 1440–1445).

The Annunciation is about the message by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit to be called Jesus (Luke 1:26–38).

The Virgin Mary is humble and accepting responsibility, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

Fra Angelico was known as the inventor of this type of composition, in which angel Gabriel visits Mary in an outdoor setting. In a composition of Gothic Annunciation painting, it depicts the archangel Gabriel visiting the Virgin Mary indoors and with Mary enthroned.

In addition, Fra Angelico also made an evolution in space and lighting. In the Gothic period, paintings had no spatial awareness, leading to the figures seeming to float in the air. Therefore, the paintings in the Gothic period were lopsided and disproportional.

By dealing with such things, the painting marked a transition out of the Gothic period and into the Renaissance.

Hear from two speakers, Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, discussing the details of Annunciation by Fra Angelico.