Artwork preview

The Archangel Gabriel

Pisan 14th Century

National Gallery of Art

A person stands with hands together at the chest in this freestanding, painted wood sculpture. The person’s body faces us and the head turns and looks slightly down to our right in this photograph. Brown hair curls close to the head and down the back of the neck. The skin is ivory white. The almond-shaped eyes are faintly painted, and he has a straight, delicate nose and thin, slightly smiling pink lips. One hand touches his chest and the other is held in front, perhaps with thumbs touching, palm facing our right. White robes lined with indigo blue fall in cascading folds down his body over a rose-pink tunic, and both pool on the octagonal wood base. There are paint losses and small areas of damage throughout but is most noticeable at the bottom. The wood is cracked in the person’s hair.

Artwork Details

Date
1325/1350
Medium
wood, polychromed and gilded
Dimensions
3969 × 5913 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original