Tapestry with the Annunciation

Unknown

ca. 1410–20 · Wool warp, wool with a few metallic wefts · Medieval Art

Seated within an elaborate room, the Virgin Mary looks away from her book on the reading lectern, startled by the sudden entrance of the archangel Gabriel. He holds a scroll with the words Ave gracia plena (“Hail [Mary], full of grace”). Above, God the Father sends the infant Jesus bearing a cross toward the Virgin, preceded by the dove of the Holy Spirit. They descend in the direction of the Virgin. The enclosed garden emphasizes her virginity, and the single white lily placed in an elaborate pottery jar symbolizes her purity.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1410–20

Medium

Wool warp, wool with a few metallic wefts

Culture

South Netherlandish

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of Harriet Barnes Pratt, in memory of her husband, Harold Irving Pratt (February 1, 1877–May 21, 1939), 1949