The Annunciation

1637/1640

Sébastien Bourdon

Associated Names
Sébastien Bourdon

Artist, French, 1616 - 1671

The image features two human figures. One figure, seated and shown from behind, is located in the lower middle of the composition. The other figure, an angel, is shown in the upper left corner in flight with outstretched wings, appearing to deliver a message. The woman is seated on a stool, facing slightly to the right, wearing modest clothing and a head covering. Draped fabric surrounds her, and there are cherubs or putti in clouds above, accompanied by beams of light. Architectural elements in the background suggest an indoor or visionary setting. The composition is an etching on a plain background with a Latin inscription at the bottom.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Alessandra Manning Dolnier

  • Dimensions

    plate: 17 × 12.8 cm (6 11/16 × 5 1/16 in.)
    sheet: 17.8 × 13.6 cm (7 × 5 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2018.113.38

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Robert-Dumesnil 1967, no. 9, State ii/ii

  • Series Title

    Life of the Virgin

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Franz Gawet [1765- 1847], Vienna (Lugt 1069). Robert and Bertina Suida Manning, Forest Hills, NY; by descent Alessandra Manning and Kurt Dolnier, Watertown, CT, 1996; Gift to NGA, 2018

Associated Names

Bibliography

1967

  • Robert-Dumesnil, A.P.F. Le peintre-graveur français, ou Catalogue raisonné des estampes gravées par les peintres et les dessinateurs de l'école française. Ouvrage faisant suite au Peintre-graveur de Bartsch.. Reprint (11 vols. in 6). Paris, 1967: no. 9, ii/ii

2000

  • Thuillier, Jacques. Sébastien Bourdon, 1616 - 1671. Paris, 2000: no. 66, ii/ii.

Inscriptions

upper center in image: Seb. Bourdon invenit et fecit / ex. cum privil. Regis; lower center in plate: Quam grata vox Angeli non tam salutantis, quam nunciantis mox venturum pacis autorem

You may be interested in

Loading Results