Annunciation

by Phaidon Press (Translator), The Staff of Phaidon Publications

'In the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings favoured one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus."' The drama, the symbolism, the poignant simplicity of the imagined scene evoked by these words, have proved irresistible to artists over the centuries. Presented here, in a chronological sequence, are over 100 of the finest representations of this encounter. All depicting the same subject, yet all wonderfully and subtly different, these images are an inexhaustible source of pleasure and inspiration, taking the viewer on a journey of meditation through the ages. The design of the book is simple and the theme is unchanging, but the outcome is rich and endlessly varied. While the message is Christian, the human drama of the Annunciation has a universal appeal: the artists, attempting to express an awe-inspiring mystery, have at the same time invested the scene with the deepest humanity. The images in this book are simultaneously expressions of religious devotion, depictions of human drama and emotion, and great works of art.

Like its companion volumes Crucifixion , Descent and Last Supper , Annunciation presents a focused meditation on a single theme that is infinitely rich, allowing the viewer to appreciate the nuances of character and the endless skill with which artists have created new masterpieces out of old materials. Whether one focuses on the religious mystery, the human drama or the marvellous skill of the artist, these uncluttered and simply presented works of art provide endless food for thought and contemplation.

Genres: Art

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2000

About the author

Phaidon Press is a global publisher of books on art, architecture, design, fashion, photography, and popular culture, as well as cookbooks, children's books, and travel books. The company is based in London and New York City, with additional offices in Paris and Berlin. -wikipedia

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking at over 100 depictions of the exact same subject can be a fascinating exercise, namely because it serves to accentuate the (sometimes) subtle differences not only in the physical interpretation of the event but also in the personal relationship each artist shares with it. Fra Angelico and Beccafumi, for instance, depict largely the same scene through similar proxemics, but Fra Angelico’s use of colour and gesture telegraphs this wonderfully simple, unperturbed atmosphere, as though of a timeless Heaven itself. Then there are those who eschew any dominant sense of beauty and lean instead into the cataclysmic: Tintoretto’s stands out as an almost Boschian scene, a rupturing collision of Heaven and Earth; Ossawa Tanner’s appears positively supernatural; Kokoschka suggests violence.

My favourite would have to be del Sarto’s. The neatly triadic colour scheme lends the scene a wonderful sense of harmony–or rather equanimity. The lush fabrics against the heavenly light… It gives form to the kind of beauty that befits the subject.

[Amy Cowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of pictures!

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to both ponder and savor.

[Sara Ott-Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of a set of 4 art books by Phaidon, my favorite art publisher. It is an art book, only depicting pictures of the Annunction, from the earliest art to 20th century representations. Also included are texts from the Bible, and other interesting tidbits.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and small art book with gorgeous reproductions of the Annunciation from ancient through modern times. I've looked at it countless times and never tire of it.