Annunciation
Annunciation is an early work by Leonardo da Vinci, painted between 1472 and 1475. The life of Virgin Mary was rare known by people, and there were a few records in the "New Testament", among of which the most important story was Annunciation and The Nativity. According to some accounts, Mary's parents were King Jehoiakim and Anna, Mary was sent to the Temple in Jerusalem to participate in the ceremony when she was three years old. And later she was engaged to the carpenter Joseph and lived in the city of Nazareth. It was at this time, God dispatched angel Gabriel announce to Virgin Mary, "You shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall give him the name Jesus." Mart replied to Gabriel that she was certainly willing to be God's servant.
Since the middle ages, The Annunciation was a popular theme among artists. The image is meant to imply the moment of the Virgin’s miraculous conception, when Christ became man through the Holy Spirit who descended from God. The three essential elements are the angel, the Virgin and the dove of the Holy Spirit which symbolized Jesus came to earth through the flesh. The angle keeled on a carpet of flowers includes Lily, which is a traditional symbol of the Virgin's purity. Virgin Mary seated with a book in her hand, symbolizing the prophecy that virgin conceived and beard a son was confirmed.
In this painting, Leonardo da Vinci employed a solemn and respectful technique of expression, nearly every elements of this painting depicted in virtually. For instance, both the tall buildings behind Mary and delicate table in front of her brought out solemn and sacred atmosphere. And the landscape, the plants and the figures, all of which showed the coming of Jesus was a significant and sacred event.
