Icon - Annunciation - Wood - Hand-painted, 25x35 cm

Russian Icon of the Annunciation, dating from the early 1900s and made with tempera on panel technique.

Opera Characteristics

Subject
The scene depicts the Archangel Gabriel on the left bringing the announcement to Mary, seated on the throne on the right. It is a classic composition of Orthodox iconography.

Symbolic Details
In the background one can discern complex architectural structures united by a taut red veil (velum), which in Byzantine and Russian art symbolizes that the event takes place inside, even though it is depicted outdoors. Mary is shown at the moment of assent, with her hand raised to her face in a gesture of humble reflection.

Frame
The painting is set within a rich geometric frame finely decorated with lozenge motifs in gold and black, typical of the Russian artistic tradition.