Praying the Angelus with Art: This Week's Image

A Google Image search brought up many instances of this Annunciation (it is clearly popular), but nothing with detailed information about its origin. If you know something about it, please share that in the comments!

Praying the Angelus with Art: This Week's Image

On the wings of the stupendous Coronation of the Virgin Triptych by "the Master of 1499" we find a simple Annunciation in grisaille (grey shades that mimic sculpture). The triptych was purchased by Prince Albert and is still part of the Royal Collection Trust. Learn more about the Coronation of the Virgin Triptych on the website of the Royal Collection Trust.

Inside the Triptych:

The closed wings reveal the Annunciation:

Praying the Angelus with Art: This Week's Image

Nikola Sarić painted this contemporary image (2017) as part of a cycle of the mysteries of the life of Christ. It appears to be a combination of the Annunciation and the Visitation, but since it is entitled The Incarnation of Christ, we have to give precedence to the Annunciation when that first and great mystery took place. The key elements are all there: the Angel with the staff indicating that he is an emissary; Mary with open, receptive hands; the hand of God the Father appearing from above, sending the Holy Spirit to overshadow Mary; the face of Christ in Mary's womb to indicate the hidden Word made flesh. 

Since Gabriel had alluded to Elizabeth and her pregnancy, and Elizabeth was the first to call Mary "Mother," it is fitting that she be included as a witness of Mary's motherhood from its first instant.

Here is a fascinating interview with the artist, a young Serbian-German whose life was changed by the unexpected encounter with Byzantine icons:

Interview with Nikola Saric from Orthodoxie.com.