Annunciation – Northern Italy, Mid-16th Century – Tempera On Panel

Egg tempera on wood panel

Delicate and intensely spiritual, this 16th-century Northern Italian Annunciation gracefully illustrates one of the foundational mysteries of Christianity. The archangel Gabriel, in a flowing red cloak with luminous highlights, bows elegantly toward the Virgin Mary, surprised in her prayerful contemplation.

Above them, in a golden cloud animated by celestial light, God the Father appears holding the globe of the world, while the dove of the Holy Spirit descends in a subtle ray—a perfect theological articulation between heaven and earth.

A balanced and profoundly Renaissance composition

The scene is constructed according to a harmonious triangular scheme, typical of the Italian Renaissance:

On the left, the messenger angel, bearing the lily, symbol of purity.

On the right, the Virgin kneels in an attitude of gentle and introspective humility.

At the top, the divine sphere, connecting the Incarnation to the earthly world.

The sculpted altar and architectural setting suggest a private devotional purpose, likely for a domestic oratory.

A luminous and warm palette

Deep carmine reds, muted greens, and golden ochres stand out against a delicately modulated azure background. The light skin tones, the gentleness of the gazes, and the fluidity of the drapery evoke the influence of the Lombard and Emilian schools of the mid-16th century.

The work demonstrates a confident mastery of egg tempera, a traditional technique gradually being supplanted by oil painting at this time.

The spirit of the Milanese school is evident in the expressive tenderness of the faces, reminiscent of the circle of Bernardino Luini, while the atmospheric clarity may evoke certain followers of Cima da Conegliano.

Support and Authenticity

Painted on an antique wooden panel, the work features an original transverse reinforcement on the reverse, as well as antique stabilizing elements (sponki).
The network of fine, regular craquelure confirms its age and contributes to its authentic charm.

Condition

Very good overall condition for a 16th-century tempera.
Natural age-related craquelure, slight superficial wear, and discreet traces of previous interventions are visible under raking light. The panel structure is sound and stable.

Provenance

Private collection, Milan.
Acquired from a Milanese antique dealer in the early 2000s.

Dimensions

Height: 26 cm
Width: 20.5 cm

An intimate devotional work, vibrant with spirituality and Renaissance elegance, ideal for a collector of sacred art or a humanist cabinet of curiosities.

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