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A VISUAL GUIDE THROUGH PRADO MUSEUM

ROOM 056B

Floor 0

THE ANNUNCIATION

Fra Angelico

You are looking at a guide about faith. In these paintings, the main idea is the human need to believe in something divine. This belief gives us hope and the strength to continue living in a world full of fears and dangers. This guide focuses on the Christian tradition and its famous artworks.

This specific painting, "The Annunciation", shows us the origin of human salvation according to the Christian faith. It shows how God gives people an opportunity for redemption. It represents the hope that the world can change for the better.

Did you know that...

Curiosity 1

This painting looks simple at first, but it has many hidden details. For example, there is a dove, which represents the Holy Spirit. But right next to it, there is also a swallow (a small bird). Swallows are often associated with the arrival of spring, which is appropriate because the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25th.

Curiosity 2

The colors in this work are amazing, especially the blue used for the Virgin Mary’s clothes. This isn't just any blue; it is lapis lazuli. In those days, this specific pigment was extremely rare and actually cost more than gold.

Curiosity 3

On the left side of the painting, we can see a small part of the Garden of Eden during the expulsion of Adam and Eve. Among the trees, you can find a Canary Island Dragon Tree (drago). This tree also appears in Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights because it was considered very rare and exotic at that time.

Painting audio guide:

00:00 / 03:27

Audio made by Miguel Catalán highschool students Lorena and Nerea

Audio transcription:

“We are going to take you inside one of the Prado Museum's most iconic masterpieces: The Annunciation by Fra Angelico, painted in the 15th century and famous for its calm beauty and symbol deep. Together we will explore why this scene between the angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary became a cornerstone of Renaissance art. Let's get started! First of all, we are going to make a description. It is a calm scene. First, we can see the archangel Gabriel announcing to the Virgin Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus. They are in a space with columns that looks like a small cloister. Gabriel is leaning with respect and Mary is sitting, crossing her hands on her chest with a peaceful expression. In the background we can see Adam and Eve being expelled from paradise, representing original sin, in contrast with the angel's message that represents salvation. The whole painting gives a feeling of space, balance and spirituality, with a soft light that surrounds the characters and shows the harmony of the moment. The painting is in the Prado Museum in Madrid. It is painted with tempera on wood, a technique very common in the Renaissance. This makes the color look soft and bright at the same time. The light is gentle and seems to come from everywhere, making the angel and the Virgin shine a little. The colors are light and delicate, with golden, pink and blue tones that give a feeling of peace. You can see the perspective in the columns and the floor, which creates depth. Even if there is not much movement, we can feel the movement when the angel speaks and Mary listens. Now we are going to tell you about the socio-historical aspect. The paint was made by Fra Angelico, an Italian artist, during the early Renaissance, around the 15th century. The style is religious and very detailed, typical of that time, with soft and peaceful figures. The theme is the Annunciation, which is the moment when the angel Gabriel tells the Virgin Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus. It was made in the time when religion was very important and people liked art that showed stories from the Bible. The paints were used to teach and to inspiring faith. Fra Angelico was also a monk, so he painted the scene with a lot of peace and spirituality. Is this painting really relevant? The theme of the Annunciation has been very important in culture because it shows a key moment in Christianity: the announcement of the birth of Jesus. That is, it appears in art, movies, music and literature through the centuries."

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If you're curious about how faith shapes the way we see the world, follow this path

If you're curious about how gods interact with the human world, follow this path

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Floor 0

ROOM 056B

THE ANNUNCIATION

Fra Angelico

Technical specifications

 

Date: 1425-26

Technique: Tempera

Medium: Wood panel

Width: 191.5 cm Height: 190.3 cm

here you art ©

by Inés García Iglesias

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