The Annunciation, c.1440, each 63.8x25.1 cm, Frick col Fra Filippo Lippi

The composition presents two figures within a shallow architectural space, framed by ornate gilded columns and a projecting cornice. The scene unfolds in what appears to be an interior chamber, suggested by the receding wall behind the individuals. Light enters from the left, illuminating the figures and casting subtle shadows that define their forms.
On the left stands a figure clad in flowing red robes, draped over one shoulder and gathered at the waist with a gold sash. The individual’s face is turned slightly away, yet the gaze seems directed towards the other person present. A large pair of wings, rendered in a combination of brown and gold hues, extends from behind the shoulders, immediately signaling an otherworldly nature.
To the right stands another figure, dressed in a deep blue robe lined with gold, and adorned with a golden halo. The posture is one of apparent surprise or deference; the hands are raised slightly, as if in a gesture of acknowledgement or questioning. A veil covers the hair, further emphasizing the solemnity of the moment.
The architectural setting contributes significantly to the overall effect. The columns create a sense of enclosure and formality, while the receding wall establishes spatial depth. The limited color palette – dominated by reds, blues, golds, and earth tones – enhances the painting’s visual harmony and reinforces its devotional character.
Subtleties within the work suggest layers of meaning beyond the immediate narrative. The positioning of the figures, with one facing partially away from the viewer, creates a sense of intimacy and invites contemplation. The architectural framework, while providing structure, also serves to isolate the scene, elevating it to a realm apart from everyday experience. The careful rendering of fabric folds and facial expressions conveys a meticulous attention to detail characteristic of the period’s artistic conventions. Overall, the work evokes a mood of reverence and quiet solemnity, hinting at a momentous encounter between the human and the divine.