Verkündigung an die Jungfrau
1547-1550
Michelangelo created this striking sketch of the Annunciation late in his life, around 1547. Unlike traditional, serene depictions, the Virgin Mary here looks startled, almost recoiling as the angel Gabriel swoops down to deliver his message. You can even see faint, discarded sketches on the left side, showing the master artist working through his ideas in real-time. This raw, unfinished quality gives us a rare glimpse into the mind of a Renaissance genius who was never quite satisfied with perfection.
- Technique
- Black chalk
- Material
- Paper