The Annunciation
c. 1435-1440
Here, the angel Gabriel makes a grand entrance with spectacular peacock-feather wings—a symbol of immortality—while holding a white lily to signify purity. A clever architectural column splits the composition, separating the heavenly messenger from a humble, kneeling Mary, yet a beam of light carrying a tiny dove zooms right across the divide to deliver the divine message. This moment captures the Annunciation, where Mary learns she will bear Jesus, rendered with the delicate, flowing drapery and soft colors typical of early Renaissance Florence. The peacock wings are a fascinating touch, replacing the more common feathered wings to hint at eternal life.
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