The Annunciation to Saint Joseph

Art Historical Context

In the serene etching *The Annunciation to Saint*, created between 1725 and 1775, Italian Rococo artist Carlo Innocenzo Carloniates with German printmaker Johann Daniel Herz the to depict a pivotal biblical moment. An angel appears to Saint Joseph in a dream, reassuring him of Mary's divine pregnancy—a scene rich in Catholic iconography that underscores themes of faith, humility, and divine intervention. Carloni, known for his elegant frescoes and dynamic compositions in the Lombard tradition, brings a sense of graceful movement and emotional depth, bridging late Baroque drama with emerging Rococo lightness. This second state of two, printed from a metal plate etched with fine acid-bitten lines, measures a compact 7 3/8 × 4 13/16 inches, making it an intimate devotional object. Etchings like this were revolutionary for their time, allowing intricate details—such as the angel's flowing drapery and Joseph's contemplative expression—to be reproduced affordably. Collected by The Elisha Whittelsey Fund at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it exemplifies 18th-century printmaking's role in spreading religious art beyond grand churches to homes and scholars. Housed in the Met's Drawings and Prints department, this work highlights how collaborative prints democratized high art, fostering spiritual reflection amid Europe's Enlightenment era. Visitors will appreciate its technical finesse and timeless narrative glow.