THE ANNUNCIATION._The great painters' gospel

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin whose name was Mary.

The angel said "Hail, Mary, highly favored, blessed art thou among

women." (Luke 1:26-28.) Mary is supposed to have been in a house of

worship at the time (like Hannah, 1 Sam. 1:9-18, and Zacharias, Luke

1:8-13), hence the beautiful surroundings; and to have been at

prayer, as suggested by the kneeling posture and the book. The dove

is a symbol of the Holy Ghost (Luke 3:22). The beam of light

symbolizes the going forth of divine power (Hos. 6:5). The angel is

borne upon a cloud (Ps. 104:3), and carries a rod or scepter, symbols

of authority (Ex. 4:1-5, Esther 4:11). The lily is introduced as a

symbol of perfection and purity (Song 2:2; compare also Num. 17:8).

Titian has depicted the instant when the angel says "Hail, Mary." He

has introduced emblems of the ideal woman (Prov. 31:13, 14, 26,

etc.).

[Transcriber's Note: As you may note, each plate is introduced with

the artist's name and the plate number. In the original source, this

text was bolded, not italicized.]

_Hofmann, Plate 1,_ shows the moment when Gabriel says: "Blessed art

thou among women." (Luke 1:28.) In this picture only, the angel

approaches from behind. The picture recalls the experience of another

Mary (John 20:14).

_Guido Reni, Plate 2,_, has chosen the instant when Gabriel says,

"Thou hast found favor with God." The infant angels represent,

perhaps, "the spirits of love, intelligence and innocence," [1] and

accompany the Divine Presence because of the words of Christ, when

speaking of children, "Their angels do always behold the face of my

Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 18:10.)

_Mueller, Plate 3,_ seems to have shown the moment when Mary said,

"Let it be unto me according to thy word." (Luke 1:38.) His figures

and faces express less animation than any of the others.

_Dosso, Plate 4,_ represents Gabriel as saying, "The Holy Ghost shall

come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee"

(Luke 1:35), for both the dove, symbol of the Holy Ghost, and the

Highest himself, upon a cloud and accompanied with cherubs, are

present. (Compare 2 Sam. 22:10-12.)

_Baroccio, Plate 5,_ seems to have seized upon the moment when Mary

has just asked "How shall this be?" (Luke 1:34). The angel is

encouraging her faith by reference to Elisabeth. (Luke 1:36.)

[1] Mrs. Jameson, "Sacred and Legendary Art," vi., p. 57.