The Annunciation, Alessandro Allori (florence, 1535 – Florence, 1607)

The Annunciation  

Florentine painter, 17th/18th century 

Follower of Alessandro Allori (Florence, 1535 – Florence, 1607)  

Oil on canvas 45 x 58 cm  - Framed 55 x 68 cm  

Full details (click HERE)  

A splendid canvas celebrating the theme of the Annunciation, the moment when the archangel Gabriel brings Mary the news that she will give birth to the Son of God, in a style that was very popular from the late 16th century to the first half of the following century.  On the left, the Archangel Gabriel is depicted with his hands crossed over his chest, caught in the moment of the supreme announcement, with his eyes half-closed in an attitude of devotion. 

Before him is the Virgin Mary, seated on a throne-like armchair, looking up towards the dove of the Holy Spirit.  A diagonal ray of light connects her gaze with God the Father, at the top left, on which is imprinted, as in a mirror, the Latin phrase ‘Ecce ancilla Domini’ (behold the handmaid of the Lord), which is the Virgin's response to the announcement.  

The canvas is of excellent quality, embellished with gold finishes on the halos framing the faces. The painter emphasises the beauty of the Virgin, interpreted as an ethereal woman, characterised by the whiteness of her complexion.  Great attention has been paid to detail, from the wooden throne decorated with geometric motifs, above a lace curtain probably made on a tombolo, to the beautiful carpet on the floor.  

The work is inspired by the famous fresco in the Basilica dell'Annunziata in Florence, painted around 1250, with stylistic features that place it unmistakably within the Florentine figurative culture of the mid-17th century: more precisely, we can trace its author among the followers of the Florentine artist Alessandro Allori.  

Like many Florentine artists of his time, the painter produced numerous copies of the fresco, either complete or partial, commissioned by the grand ducal family and noble Florentine families as objects of private devotion or gifts to be sent to eminent personalities, or at the request of foreign clients.  

Among these, we can mention the small painting on copper, signed and dated by Alessandro Allori in 1606, now in the Pitti Palace in Florence (https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/0900297026). The Duomo Museum in Milan also houses a copy of the same painting by Allori from 1579, commissioned by Francesco I de' Medici as a gift for Cardinal Federico Borromeo. There is also another Annunciation attributed to Allori on display in the choir of the Monte dei Cappuccini (https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/0900620035) and another in the Museo San Domenico in Bologna (https://bbcc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/pater/loadcard.do?id_card=263428&force=1).   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  

The painting is sold complete with a pleasant gilded wooden frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.  

We take care of and organise the transport of purchased works, both in Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.  

In the event of purchase of the work by non-Italian customers, it will be necessary to obtain an export permit, which takes approximately 10-20 days. Our gallery will take care of the entire process until the permit is obtained. All costs for this procedure are included.  

If you would like to see this or other works in person, we would be delighted to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, at Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. 

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