The Annunciation thumbnail 1
The Annunciation thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Cast Courts, Room 46b, The Weston Cast Court

The Annunciation

Relief
second half of the 15th century (sculpted), ca. 1888 (cast)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The kneeling figures of the Virgin and the angel Gabriel, with God the Father between them, are framed by adoring cherubim. The vase of lilies symbolises the Virgin’s purity. The Hospital of the Innocents on Florence, where the original is still placed, was set up to shelter foundling children. Copies of this lunette were also acquired by Dublin and Edinburgh when South Kensington purchased this one.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Annunciation (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Plaster cast
Brief description
Plaster cast relief, the Annunciation, after a glazed terracotta original by Andrea Della Robbia, cast by Oronzio Lelli, ca. 1888
Physical description
Plaster cast of the Annunciation after glazed terracotta original by Andrea della Robbia, depicting the Madonna and Child with four Saints, in the Ospedale di S. Maria degli Innocenti, Florence above the door leading from the courtyard to the chapel of the Hospital.
Dimensions
  • Height: 160cm
  • Width: 290cm
Object history
Purchased from Oronzio Lelli in 1888 for £26 7s (2000 lire). This was the total for three copies: one each for Museums at South Kensington, Edinburgh and Dublin.
Historical context
The Annunciation, mistakenly attributed to Luca della Robbia (1399/1400-82), is recorded by Vasari (1550) in the Cappella de' Pugliesi, in the Hospital, above an altarpiece by Piero di Cosimo (b. 1402; d.1521(?)). This altarpiece, depicting the Madonna and Child with four Saints, was removed from the Pugliesi chapel during redecoration in 1786, and is now in the Gallery of the Hospital. As the Annunciation is recorded in its present location by 1790, it is likely that it too was moved in 1786.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The kneeling figures of the Virgin and the angel Gabriel, with God the Father between them, are framed by adoring cherubim. The vase of lilies symbolises the Virgin’s purity. The Hospital of the Innocents on Florence, where the original is still placed, was set up to shelter foundling children. Copies of this lunette were also acquired by Dublin and Edinburgh when South Kensington purchased this one.
Collection
Accession number
REPRO.1888-514

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Record createdDecember 7, 1999
Record URL
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