The Story of Christmas: The Annunciation

Fra Angelico - The Annunciation - c. 1426 - Tempera on panel - Height: 162.3 cm; Width: 191.5 cm - The Prado - Madrid, Spain (click photo for larger image)Today we’ll begin a series focused on the Christmas Story, as depicted in art.

Fra Angelico (1395-1455) was an Italian painter of the Early Italian Renaissance. Described by Giorgio Vasari in his “Lives of the Artists” as having "a rare and perfect talent,” he earned his reputation primarily for the series of frescoes he made for his own friary, San Marco, in Florence.

Fra Angelico exerted a significant influence in Florence, especially between 1440 and 1450, even on such an accomplished master as Fra Filippo Lippi (the teacher of Botticelli). As a friar, Fra Angelico was lauded in writings of the 15th century and beyond, some of which bestowed a legendary halo on him. As a painter, he was acclaimed as early as 1438 by the contemporary painter Domenico Veneziano.

In his “Annunciation” the news of Christ’s forthcoming birth is delivered to Mary by an angel. The Virgin Mary is pregnant. The son of God is on his way. In this exquisite painting by the Florentine monk, the split-second of the telling appears to be the very moment of conception itself. Mary listens in astonishment, hands crossed over her body as if receiving a blessing, but also as if protecting the new life there. Her face is a graceful portrait of awe, bewilderment and emotion: the sudden revelation made visible.