Virgin of the Annunciation

Joos van Cleve's Virgin of the Annunciation presents Mary at the moment of Gabriel's greeting, depicted in the devotional half-length format that Van Cleve used for his most intimate religious works. The Annunciation scene was frequently split across diptych or triptych panels, with the Virgin on one side and the annunciating angel on the other, allowing the faithful to possess a portable devotional image of the pivotal Incarnation moment. Van Cleve's Virgin combines the Flemish tradition's careful attention to the open book she has been reading — signifying her study of scripture — with the tender surprised expression that characterizes his most affecting devotional figures.

The figure of the startled Virgin is rendered with Van Cleve's smooth, luminous technique. The devotional image captures the moment of divine revelation with characteristic Netherlandish refinement.