Exhibition on the Depiction of the Annunciation by Early Northern Rena :: essays research papers

â€Å"The annunciation is the very moment of the Incarnation when the Holy Ghost overshadowed the Virgin and the Child conceived in her womb, the consummation of her marriage to God.† (p.84 textbook)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Annunciation by Rogier van der Weyden, completed around 1435, is a 33 7/8† x 36 1/4† panel, which once was part of a triptych. The depiction is of Mary in a bedchamber, seated by the light of a window at the right, positioned on the floor in a stance that implies that she had been busy reading. The way that she is seated is similar to Campin’s Merode Altarpiece. (p.125 textbook) Gabriel appears to Mary’s back with a somewhat solemn face as Mary turns her head towards him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to the text, Rogier uses bold lighting effects, graceful figures, and plunging perspectives, but allows the figures to stand out prominently against a more subdued background. (p. 126 textbook) Through a back window, the countryside can be seen, showing that this is a daytime setting. Symbolically, the textbook states that this scene is a ‘thalamus virginis’, and that in effect, Mary and God are symbolically sharing a marriage bedchamber. This can be explained by the depiction of Christ on a medallion hanging from the back of the bed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Van Eyck’s rendition of this theme, Annunciation, is thought to be the left wing of a triptych. Completed around 1435-37, it is a panel transferred to canvas, 36 1/2† x 14 3/8†. Here we see Mary in a church with both arms somewhat elevated in almost surprise fashion. Mary doesn’t appear too happy or concerned even, and both she and Gabriel seem relatively neutral in emotion, considering the situation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Van Eyck depicts the moment when the â€Å"Old Dispensation became the New.† (p.104 textbook) Some symbolism includes Jehovah in the stained glass window above Mary, seen with the seraphim that Isaiah envisioned of the Lord. Seven rays of light protrude from the clerestory window in the upper left of the piece, symbolizing the desention of the Holy Ghost. The stool in the lower right of the panel symbolizes Isaiah’s words, â€Å"heaven is my Throne, the earth is my footstool.† (p.104 textbook) The white lilies represent Mary’s purity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Annunciation by Jacquemart de Hesdin, and possibly his shop, dates to around 1400. This piece, is from the Tres-Belles de Jehan de France, Duc de Berry. Mary is seated inside an open structure, as usual, disturbed by her devotional reading.