Virgin of the Annunciation
Unknown Artist
ca. 1450
Medium
Oak, polychromy & gilding
Dimensions
Overall (including base): 14 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (36.8 x 36.8 x 11.5 cm) Overall (without base): 13 11/16 x 14 5/16 x 3 9/16 in. (34.7 x 36.3 x 9 cm)
Classification
Sculpture-Wood
Culture
South German
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1916
Accession Number
16.32.224
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite wooden sculpture, *Virgin of the Ann*, crafted by an unknown South German artist around 1450, captures the pivotal biblical moment when the Virgin Mary receives the angel Gabriel's divine message. Standing just over 13 inches tall without its base, this intimate piece was likely designed for private devotion in a household or small chapel, reflecting the growing popularity of personal piety during the Late Middle Ages. Carved from oak—a durable wood favored for its fine grain—the figure is enlivened by polychromy (vibrant painted colors) and gilding, techniques that brought med...