The Annunciation
Relief
second half of the 15th century (sculpted), ca. 1888 (cast)
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 | |
Title | The 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 |
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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 created | December 7, 1999 |
Record URL |
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