The Annunciation, Alessandro Allori (Florence, 1535 – Florence, 1607) circle of

The Annunciation

Alessandro Allori (Florence, 1535 – Florence, 1607) circle of

Oil painting on canvas
cm. 69 x 87 – In frame cm. 82 x 100

Splendid canvas celebrating the theme of the Annunciation, the moment in which the archangel Gabriel brings Mary the news that she will give birth to the Son of God, according to a typology very popular between the 16th and 17th centuries.

On the left, the Archangel Gabriel is depicted with his hands crossed on his chest, captured in the moment of the supreme announcement, with his eyes half-closed in an attitude of devotion. In his presence is portrayed the young Virgin, seated on an armchair that seems like a throne, while she turns her gaze upwards towards the dove of the Holy Spirit.

A diagonal ray of light unites her gaze with God the Father, at the top left, on whom is imprinted, as in a mirror, the Latin phrase 'Ecce ancilla Domini' (behold the handmaid of the Lord), the Virgin's response to the announcement.

The canvas shows us an excellent quality of execution, embellished by the gold finishes of the halos that frame the faces. The painter highlights the beauty of the Virgin, interpreted as an ethereal woman, characterized by the candor of her complexion.

Great attention was paid to details, such as the wooden throne decorated with geometric motifs, with a lace curtain above, probably worked with bobbin lace, and a beautiful carpet on the floor.

The work draws inspiration from the well-known fresco in the Basilica dell'Annunziata in Florence, executed around 1250, with stylistic characteristics that place it without hesitation in the Florentine figurative culture of the seventeenth century: more precisely, we can search for its author in the circle of the Florentine Alessandro Allori.

The painter, like many Florentine artists of his time, made several copies of the fresco, entire or partial, commissioned by the grand ducal family and Florentine nobles as objects of private devotion or gifts to be sent to eminent personalities.

Among these, we can mention the small painting on copper, signed and dated by Alessandro Allori in 1606, now in the Pitti Palace in Florence (https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/0900297026). At the Museo del Duomo in Milan there is also a copy of the painting by Allori himself from 1579, commissioned by Francesco I de' Medici as a gift for Cardinal Federico Borromeo.
And again the Annunciation attributed to Allori, exhibited in the choir of the Monte dei Cappuccini (https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/0900620035), or the one in the San Domenico Museum in Bologna (https://bbcc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/pater/loadcard.do?id_card=263428&force=1).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold complete with a pleasant antique wooden frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

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