The Annunciation

Augustin Hirschvogel

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a celestial scene. An angel with large wings is on the left side, holding a branch with leaves. The angel is reaching towards a woman standing under a columned structure on the right side. The woman is draped in garments and holding onto a lectern. Above the angel in the clouds, a divine figure gestures downward. Rays of light descend from the sky towards both figures. The setting has a classical or religious architecture theme with steps leading up to where the woman stands. German text is at the bottom of the image. The composition is detailed with crosshatching and linework typical of engravings or etchings from the Renaissance period.