website content

The Archangel Gabriel from the scene of the Annunciation

Part of the collection: Renaissance and Baroque painting

Popularization note

Through analysis of the format and composition, it can be concluded that the representation of the Archangel Gabriel was probably incorporated into the wings of the altarpiece on its right side. Together with a second surviving plaque with the image of Mary (MNS/Szt/1047), it comprised the scene of the Annunciation. Clad in a white tunic and with a red cloak draped over it, the Angel turns towards Mary. He raises his right hand in a gesture of blessing and holds a lily flower, a symbol of purity, in his left hand. Rolling clouds appear under his feet, and above his head there is a shining cloud, against the background of which rises a white dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Dr Janina Kochanowska (1948-) dated the pieces as from the end of the 16th century, linking their authorship to the circle of artists making the altarpiece for the castle church in Szczecin, and in particular to Matthias Nether (active around 1596-1603), court painter to Duke Johann Friedrich (from 1597). However, there is a lack of evidence to support this claim, especially as there is as yet no way of establishing the piece's origin. It is more likely that the painting was created in the first half of the 17th century, as the layout of the composition refers to the Annunciation scene by Herman Han (1580-c. 1628), now in a church in Kläckeberg, Sweden. Han worked in Gdansk, Chojnice and Pelplin, and had several pupils, one of whom may have been the author of the wings in the Annunciation. Due to the Reformation's critical attitude towards Marian devotion, the theme of the Annunciation was more often addressed in Catholic than Protestant art in modern times. However, in the former Duchy of Pomerania, where Lutheranism was adopted in 1534, Marian themes continued to be taken up in representations, primarily due to the deep traditionalism of Pomeranian society and clergy. Justyna Bądkowska



Signatures and inscriptions:

  1. Inscription: von Reichenhall [...]
  2. Inscription: 1046 - S
  3. Inscription: 27
  4. Inscription: Bilder vorsicht F.W. 40

Information about the object

Information about this object

Author / creator

unknown

Object type

painting

Technique

oil technique

Material

oak board

Origin / acquisition method

acquisition

Creation time / dating

1600 — 1700

Creation / finding place

powstanie: Pomorze Zachodnie, region historyczny (Europa)

Owner

Muzeum Narodowe w Szczecinie

Identification number

MNS/Szt/1046

Location / status

object on display Muzeum Narodowe w Szczecinie, ul. Wały Chrobrego 3, Szczecin

You might also like:

Add note

Edit note

0/500

Jakiś filtr
Data od:
Era
Wiek:
+
Rok:
+
Data do:
Era
Wiek:
+
Rok:
+
asd