Bartolomé Esteban Murillo’s painting "The Annunciation" from the collection of the State Hermitage Museum

On October 9 at 12:00 pm, the Blue Drawing Room of the Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts (104 Lenin Street) will host the opening of the exhibition “Bartolomé Esteban Murillo’s painting ‘Annunciation’ from the collection of the State Hermitage Museum.”

Among the world’s museums, the State Hermitage Museum holds the largest collection of European painting, including works by the Spanish school. The Hermitage houses masterpieces by all the renowned Spanish painters of the Golden Age — El Greco, Ribera, Zurbarán, Velázquez, and Murillo. The museum holds sixteen paintings by Murillo, demonstrating the profound interest in his work throughout the various stages of the Hermitage collection’s development.

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682) was born and spent his entire life in Seville. He studied painting under the renowned artist Juan del Castillo (c. 1593–1657). The young Murillo quickly became the city’s most sought-after artist. Generously gifted and adept in every genre, he was the first Spanish painter to achieve widespread renown not only in Spain but also abroad. In the 19th century, Murillo was held in higher esteem in Europe than any other Spanish master, and was compared to Raphael. In the 20th century, by contrast, he attracted little attention, but by the end of the century, interest in his work had resurfaced.

Religious painting occupied a central place in Murillo’s work. He treated Christian themes with a touch of everyday life, and the images of saints in his works were relatable to ordinary people. The artist also created superb portraits and magnificent genre scenes, a rarity in contemporary Spanish painting.

Murillo’s painting "The Annunciation" was completed between 1655 and 1665 and belongs to the master’s mature period. It depicts one of the most popular themes in Christian iconography. It depicts the Gospel event when the Archangel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she is expecting a child — the Son of God, Jesus Christ. The iconography of the "Annunciation" is a complex system of symbols and images, reflecting the meaning of the religious narrative.

On the right side of the canvas, we see Mary. The Virgin Mary is accompanied by her three traditional attributes. A basket of sewing and a book symbolize her diligence, wisdom, and fidelity; snow-white lilies represent Mary’s purity and innocence. The left side of the canvas is occupied by the Archangel Gabriel, a handsome youth with a spiritual face. With a gesture of his left hand, he points to a white dove. The radiant halo around the bird signifies its presence as the Holy Spirit. Even higher, in the heavenly realms, soar little angels, their joy corresponding to the news brought by the angel.

The dialogue between Mary and the Archangel takes place in an illusory space, where the real meets the supernatural. Painted with extraordinary mastery, "The Annunciation" is among the Seville master’s finest works, with scenes filled with captivating mystery and harmony.