Angel of the Annunciation

Joos van Cleve painted this Angel of the Annunciation around 1524, likely the companion panel to his Virgin of the Annunciation in the same museum. The paired Annunciation panels were designed to face each other across an altar or devotional space. The painting is in the Städel Museum. Joos van Cleve was a leading Antwerp painter who synthesized Flemish panel painting tradition with Italian Renaissance influence, making him one of the most sought-after Netherlandish masters of his generation.

The figure of the archangel Gabriel is rendered with Van Cleve's smooth, luminous technique. The angel's graceful gesture and rich costume demonstrate the Antwerp workshop's skill in devotional painting.