Spanish or Italian school; 17th century.

Spanish or Italian school; XVII century.
"Annunciation".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Presents sealing wax seal on the back.
Measurements: 42 x 28 cm.
In this work we see an Annunciation typical of the full Spanish Baroque, with a scenographic and triumphalist composition, clearly counter-reformist, where the heavenly and earthly planes are united in one. We see Mary in the foreground, kneeling before a lectern, on which rests a small book. The celestial area, represented by a break of glory of clear divine light, bursts into the earthly scene, although the angel Gabriel does not even set foot on the ground. Between Mary and the angel we see the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and other cherubs hovering in the environment.
The Annunciation is one of the most represented themes in Christian art for marking the Incarnation of Christ as man and as God, while Mary maintains her purity and her virginal state, points of great theological importance. Thus, throughout the evolution of the different styles in European art, there is a great variety of models and different details according to style, school and period. The present work is clearly related to Baroque works because of the palette chosen, the iconography (with details maintained from previous traditions), the Baroque scenography (albeit slow and balanced), the colors used (of great expressive force) and the hallmarks of light, etc.