Ancient religious oil painting on canvas, The Annunciation, 17th century

We are pleased to present this oil on canvas from the 17th-century Italian school. A splendid religious painting depicting the biblical scene of the Annunciation, a central theme of Christian iconography. A work rich in religious symbolism. The Archangel Gabriel, on the left, is depicted with large wings shaded in shades of orange and pink. He wears a green robe and a golden cloak. With his left hand, he offers Mary a sprig of white lilies, a symbol of purity and chastity. With his raised right hand, he makes a gesture of greeting and blessing. The Virgin Mary, on the right, kneels on a wooden prie-dieu on which rests an open book (symbolizing the Holy Scriptures). She wears a red tunic and a blue cloak. Her posture is humble, with her head bowed and her hand on her chest in a sign of acceptance. In the center of the composition, between Gabriel and Mary, a white dove (the Holy Spirit) flies, emanating a strong golden light, the luminous fulcrum of the entire work. High above, among the clouds of the golden sky, the figure of God the Father appears, blessing and observing the scene. The entire scene unfolds against an undefined, dark brown background, but the clouds and divine light highlight the protagonists. A marvelous painting for its pictorial quality and profound religious message. The work features the typical characteristics of Italian sacred art from the Baroque period, with a strong contrast of light and shadow and warm colors. If you love ancient Italian sacred art, you absolutely must add this splendid painting to your collection. The work is presented in an antique black lacquered wooden frame, decorated on the inner edge with a classic gilded motif. The painting is on its first canvas and is in good overall condition, with a small defect at the top corresponding to God the Father (see photo). The accompanying frame is antique, but dates back to the 19th century. Frame dimensions (cm): Height: 96,5 Width: 77 Depth: 4 Painting dimensions (cm): Height: 84 Width: 64,5