Today, in Catholic tradition, is the Feast of the Annunciation, celebrating the day when the Angel Gabriel swept in and announced: THE DIVINE IS WITHIN YOU! Nine months later came Christmas.
It’s no coincidence that both Florence and Venice chose March 25 as the date for their founding.
Florence became a Republic in the 12th century, and traditionally celebrated their New Year on March 25, all the way up until the 18th century. This is still a day of grand parades and celebrations in the city.
Venetians felt so connected to Mary that they chose the day to officially establish their Republic in 421AD. They threw a gold ring in the Grand Canal to symbolize their marriage to Mary, Star of the Sea.
Italian Renaissance painters threw themselves into interpreting the action packed Annunciation scene, capturing a moment when a woman’s life is forever changed…and Mary humbly accepts her destiny.
Whenever I visit Italy, I am drawn in by Annunciation images, and the many ways artists were inspired by this event.
Fra Angelico’s painting above, from San Marco in Florence, is the most famous artistic interpretation of the event…
Here are some more favorites…Leonardo DaVinci’s painted when he was just 26…(now displayed in the Uffizi)
Sandro Botticelli’s…(also in Uffizi)
Andrea della Robbia’s in Ospedale degli Innocenti, Florence
Filippo Lippi’s…(in Palazzo Barberini, Rome)
Fra Angelico’s in Cortona’s Museo Diocesano…
Antonella da Messina’s, who painted his without the angel, from Sicily’s Galleria Regionale…
Titian’s…the Venetian Renaissance…(in Scuola San Rocco, Venice)
Wherever you stand spiritually, each of us has experienced a Call to Destinry.
A moment of being called to do something that’s beyond our imaginings.
These Annunciation images inspire us to listen to The Call…and to say YES!
