Gospel in Art: Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord

The Annunciation, by Philippe de Champaigne, 1644, © Metropolitan Museum, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 25 March 2023
Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.' She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.' Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?' 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you' the angel answered 'and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.' 'I am the handmaid of the Lord,' said Mary 'let what you have said be done to me.' And the angel left her.

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, exactly nine months before Christmas. Mary was young when she was being asked the question to be the Mother of Jesus and Mother of God. Just imagine being asked such a question. But therein lies the beauty of today's feast: in her youth, her frailty, her littleness, she accepted the call in joyful love. It seems that the whole of humanity waited for the consent of this young girl. And she said yes!

So the greatest love story starts with today's feast!

God loves our world so much that he sent his Son. And each time we pray, we become fully part of this wonderful love story, knowing that God can guide every detail in our own lives.

Our painting by Philippe de Champaigne was executed in Paris for the small private chapel of Queen Anne of Austria (1601-1666), the widowed wife of Louis XIII. It is a somewhat austere, cold painting in its perfectionism. All figures seem to be isolated in their own spaces, not quite communicating with one another. We see the Angel Gabriel telling Mary that the Holy Spirit, symbolised by the descending dove, will cause her to bear the son of God. The Virgin is shown kneeling on her prayer stool, evoking the domestic setting of the scene that was seen as reflecting her specific virtues. Her devout prayers (further symbolised by scripture books on her prie-Dieu) demonstrate her closeness to God. The scene is strongly lit by heavenly light accompanying the Holy Spirit, emanating from the top right corner. Note the beautiful detailing of Mary's sandal and the basket in the bottom left carrying a white loin cloth and two nails….

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-1-26-38-2023/