The Cestello Annunciation, Sandro Botticelli, 1489
The Cestello Annunciation is a painting created by Sandro Botticelli, hosted in
the gallery of the Uffizi Museum in Florence, generated on wood with the use of
opaque color, and the result of Benedetto Guardi’s request for the church of
the Florentine monastery of Cestello, better known as Santa Maria Maddalena
de' Pazzi, in 1489. It was transferred to Uffizi in 1872.
The subject of the painting is the Annunciation, according to Luke, the third
Gospel. In “The Annunciation”, archangel Gabriel visits the Madonna to make
the announcement for the birth of Jesus. The artist depicts the scene using the
rules and methods of perspective, merged with a new technique, introduced by
Brunelleschi. He achieves the sense of depth by designing squares on the
flooring using straight lines, converging in the outdoor scenery.
The Annunciation is depicted with the archangel kneeling with his mouth
slightly open, signifying his announcement of the gladsome message. While
holding a lily, sign of virtue and purity, he is addressing the Madonna, who is
illustrated gracefully. Both figures are wearing long clothes, inflated from the
air, creating the sense of movement. On the contrary to the dark walls, a
utopian scenery can be viewed from the window, in the center of which is an
oak tree. The theories surrounding the window vary. Many estimate that it
plays the role of a reminder of the lost Eden, while others advocate that it is an
illustration of Tuscan’s natural landscape. In each case, it inarguably
stimulates the feeling of eternity.
In the original frame, the Guardi family crest resembling a standing dog can be
seen in the lower left and right corner, while there is a double inscription,
presenting the words of the archangel to Mary in the left; “SPIRITUS SANTUS
SUPERVENIET IN TE ET VITUS ALTISSIMI OBUMBRAVIT TIBI” and her
response in the right; “ECCE ANCILLA DOMINI. FIAT MIHI SECUNDUM
VERBUM TUUM”. In the center, there is a small Pietà with Jesus standing next
to the Tomb, from where Shroud of Turin is hanging .
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