The Annunciation Celebrated in Fine Art

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The feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25th,  celebrates the angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, announcing that she has been chosen to be the Mother of  God. Most of all it celebrates Mary’s fiat, her willing acceptance of God’s  plan, even though she is young, a virgin and in would face censure becoming pregnant in her culture. (Luke 1:26-38)

The expressions on Mary’s face range from her initial fear, reverence, peaceful acceptance to her receiving of the Holy Spirit.
Nicolas Poussin. The Annunciation. c.1655



Orazio Gentileschi,The Annunciation 1623
The feast of the Annunciation dates back at least to the fifth century, and the date of the feast, which is determined by the date of Christmas, was set at March 25 by the seventh century. The Annunciation, as much as or even more so than Christmas, represents Christ’s Incarnation. When Mary signaled to Gabriel her acceptance of God’s Will, Christ was conceived in her womb through the power of the Holy Spirit. continue>

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