The Annunciation

1887

In George Hitchcock’s unusual presentation of the Annunciation, the virgin is depicted as a Dutch peasant girl standing in a field of lilies. The lily is a symbol of the angel Gabriel, and Mary’s downcast eyes imply that she has received his divine message. Hitchcock spent much of his life in Holland, and his choice of a religious subject, unusual composition, and interest in light effects synthesizes elements of several European art movements.

Public domain · CC0
Free to download and reuse. Image courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.

Artist

George Hitchcock (American, 1850–1913)

Date

1887

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

158.8 × 204.5 cm (62 1/2 × 80 1/2 in.)

Origin

United States

Collection

Art Institute of Chicago

Credit

Potter Palmer Collection