Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Annunciation

Paolo Farinati; Unidentified artist, Italy (Bologna); Formerly attributed to Bernardino Lanino

Date

c. 1557

Medium

Pen and brown ink with white heightening

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

We might call this drawing a “noble wreck.” Drawn with lively assurance, it is also now sadly damaged. The scene is the Annunciation, a story from the New Testament book of Luke in which the angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that with the coming of the Holy Spirit she will conceive and give birth to the child of God, Jesus, who will rule the descendants of Jacob forever. This drawing was recently attributed to the Verona artist Paolo Farinati by Dott. Stefano L'Occaso, Director of the Palazzo Ducale (Mantua), who compares it to the artist's altarpiece of the same subject in SS Nazaro e Celso, Verona, which is signed and dated 1557. He has beautifully captured the drama of the miraculous event. Gabriel seems to glide down from heaven as his hair and clothing flutter in gusts of wind. He bends slightly to help alleviate Mary’s apparent fear, and he points upward to indicate the source of his astounding news. Italy, Europe

The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.