The Annunciation, oil on canvas, baroque, 17th century

A high-class work is an attributive challenge. One of the hypotheses is that a possible author of the painting is Claude Callot (1603-1687) or his workshop. Claude Callot came from Nancy (France) and worked at the courts of Polish kings: Jan Kazimierz Waza, Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki and Jan Sobieski. At the end of the 1660s he came to Poland, and in the years 1678-1687 he ran a painting school in Wilanów. He made the decoration of the royal library. In Poland, he mainly wrote religious works.

style = "color: # 888888;">Archangel Gabriel appears to Mary and announces to her that she will bear the Son of God. Maria was shown at the kneeler while she was praying. The Archangel descends from heaven holding a white lily in his hand - a symbol of purity. The rest of the canvas is covered with clouds on which angels are shown, and at the top edge of the painting, God the Father is shown sending doves of the Holy Spirit. Divine light shines down on Mary, which is emphasized by the work announced by Gabirel. A performance specific to the art of this period - the abundant setting of the Annunciation, besides Mary and the Archangel, numerous putti, clouds and the figure of God the Father.