Annunciazione, In the center, the archangel Gabriel kneels at Mary's feet; this is the Annunciation of the birth of Christ through the Virgin Mary.
According to tradition, Gabriel holds a lily and this is the symbol of the Virgin's purity; therefore, the flowers in his hand and at Mary's feet are lilies. He has a halo, wings, a garment with floral decoration, and a band around his head.
Mary wears blue and gold, and has a halo.
There is a book between the two and Mary also holds an open book.
A dove is seen close to her head. Following the dove's tail and tracing up to the upper left of the painting the Christ child and God the Father are seen. It appears that the bearded Father God (wearing a halo and holding an orb) has sent first the dove, then the Christ child (wearing a halo, holding his arms crossed, and inside a small circle).
Scope and Contents
Vanderbilt photo identifier: SC.MSS.088.SPAN.0019; Public Notes: Photograph Negative #39537
Dates
- Creation: 1930 - 1967
Creator
- Pedro Serra (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Special Collections in the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. Collections should be requested 2-3 days prior to visiting in order to facilitate easier access. For questions or to request a collection, contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu.
Biographical / Historical
Subjects: Virgin Mary; Archangel Gabriel; Annunciation; Holy Spirit; Christ Child; God the Father; Angels; God the Son; Archangels; Doves; School: Spanish; Technique: painting (technique); Work type: paintings
Full Extent
1 Items : Image Work Type: photographic print ; Image height (in.): 10; Image width (in.): 6.6in.
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Physical Description
Medium: tempera; Physical condition: curling; Print type: black and white; Support: canvas
General
Artist Nationality: Spanish; Catalan; Artist Status: attributed; Inscription: There are two open books with inscriptions, as well as a number visible in the bottom left of the photograph, presumably on the frame.; Inscription author: artist; Inscription original text: (Left)
Brre unr yo ronscipier et voi-vir fl lww er uocabir ur nome pius emmanuel
(Right)
Brre an stlln do mini flar mrht m rumdn m nervu rum
(Bottom Left)
821; Inscription original text language: Lat; Inscription original text type: text; Inscription position: Center; Inscription translation text type:
Source
- R. Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan, Italy (Repository, Organization)
Repository Details
Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives Repository
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States
specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu
About this Site
This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.
Requesting Materials
Each finding aid contains a link to request materials from the collections. Collections can also be requested by emailing the repository directly through the library website. Each repository has its own location, hours, and contact information. Please consult the repository with questions about using the materials. Collections are non-circulating and must be used in the repository’s reading room. In many cases, the collections are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval.