Annunciation

This Annunciation from 1452 by Petrus Christus depicts the moment when the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God. The Annunciation was one of the most frequently depicted subjects in Netherlandish art, and Christus's version follows the established tradition while expressing his personal style. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays meticulous oil technique inherited from van Eyck, interest in geometric spatial construction, slightly simplified figure types with an appeal that bridges Flemish formality and human warmth.

The interior setting frames the sacred encounter with careful architectural detail, while the figures of Gabriel and Mary are rendered with Christus's characteristic softness and clarity.