The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Then Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord! Let it be unto me according to your word.” 

And the angel departed from her.

(Luke 1:26-38)

As an artist who loves exploring different themes, creating Christian art during Christmas is both a joy and a spiritual calling. This year, amidst the bustling preparation for my main nativity artwork, I was drawn to a particular biblical moment—the Annunciation. The story of the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary to announce that she would bear the Son of God has always been a profound event. It encapsulates not only divine intervention but also human courage and faith. Inspired by this, I poured my heart into crafting a piece that captures the essence of this sacred moment.

For this artwork, I decided to use James Tissot's famous painting, "Annunciation," as the foundation. Tissot's work has always intrigued me because of its detailed historical references. His rendition of Mary’s house, inspired by the plan found in the Church of Annunciation in Nazareth, exudes authenticity. Trusting his artistic research, I chose to adopt his background for my piece. The composition, with Gabriel on the left and Mary on the right, adheres to traditional artistic conventions. It provided a solid structure for me to work on while allowing room for my interpretations.

Plan of Mary's House from James Tissot's
book "The Life of Jesus"

One significant deviation in my artwork is Mary’s appearance. While Tissot portrayed her in a heavily cloaked manner with fair skin, I reimagined her with dark skin and black curly hair. This decision stemmed from my desire to achieve historical accuracy. Mary was a young Jewish woman from first-century Nazareth, and she likely had a Middle Eastern complexion. For her attire, I drew inspiration from William Ladd Taylor’s nativity artwork. I depicted her in a simple white robe, and a nightgown, reflecting her humility and modesty. Unlike Tissot’s Mary, shrouded in layers, my Mary is more accessible, more human—a young woman startled by the unexpected presence of an angel.

"The Nativity" by William Ladd Taylor

The setting in my artwork suggests the event occurred at night. I imagined Mary resting when Gabriel suddenly appeared, radiating a divine light that illuminated the room. This detail is drawn from Luke 2:9, which mentions the glory of the Lord shining brightly. The stark contrast between the dark surroundings and the angel’s glow symbolises the breaking of divine light into the ordinary. This interpretation emphasises the humanity of Mary and the sudden, unexpected nature of the angel's visitation, making the scene more relatable to viewers. The use of light and darkness in the setting adds depth and symbolism to the artwork, enhancing the overall impact of the narrative. 

The character design for the angel is a blend of artistic license and traditional depictions. It is important to note that the angel in my artwork should not be confused with a cherub or a seraph, both of which have more detailed and superior descriptions in the Bible. The angels mentioned in the Gospels are often portrayed as young men dressed in white (Mark 16:5, Luke 24:4, Acts 1:10) and be like lightning (Matthew 28:3), which inspired the glowing, radiant look I gave him. Although angels are commonly depicted with halos, I decided against it, acknowledging its pagan origins. Instead, I focused on other elements that conveyed his heavenly nature. The flowing robes and ethereal wings added a sense of grace and divinity to Gabriel's character, while the subtle use of gold accents hinted at his celestial origins. 

This design for Angel Gabriel, portrayed by
Raphael Sander in a 2018 Jesus film is one of my
inspirations for the character design for Gabriel

Gabriel’s beardless, youthful face signifies his glorified state. I gave him blonde hair and blue eyes, a nod to traditional artistic depictions of angels, even though these features are just guesses since only vague descriptions from the Gospels are available. The overall effect was a portrayal of Gabriel that was both familiar and unique, capturing the essence of his angelic nature while also leaving room for interpretation. The wings, however, are not present in this depiction, since the only angels that have been mentioned to have wings were the cherubim, seraphim and the four living creatures and there's no indication in the Bible that the messenger angel like Gabriel has wings. 

The colour choices in my artwork are also symbolic. The off-white colour of Mary's linen robe signifies its earthly origin, contrasting with the angel's purely white attire, which symbolises its heavenly provenance. This visual contrast underscores the divine-human encounter, highlighting the sacredness of the moment. The whiteness of the angel's outfit not only represents purity but also serves as a visual cue to the heavenly realm from which the angel hails. The use of colour in this way adds depth and meaning to the scene, enhancing the overall spiritual impact for viewers. 

In creating this artwork, I aimed to capture the essence of the Annunciation, a moment of profound significance in the Christian faith. The scene is not just a historical event but a timeless message of hope, faith, and divine intervention. As I worked on this piece, I was reminded of the power of art to convey deep spiritual truths and to inspire reflection and reverence. The Annunciation, with its themes of divine election, purity, and the promise of salvation, continues to resonate with believers and non-believers alike, reminding us of the enduring relevance of this biblical narrative.

As I worked on this piece, I reflected on the humility and faith of Mary. Here was a young woman, likely in the age of consent in ancient times, being told she would carry the Son of God. Her response, as recorded in Luke 1:38, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word," is a testament to her strength and trust in God. I tried to capture that mixture of awe, fear, and acceptance in her posture and expression. Her raised hand, meeting Gabriel’s gesture, signifies her willingness to embrace this divine calling despite her initial trepidation.

The process of creating this artwork was both challenging and rewarding. Balancing historical accuracy, artistic interpretation, and spiritual symbolism required careful thought and research. Yet, every brushstroke felt purposeful, as if guided by the story itself. This piece is a prelude to the nativity artwork I am preparing to upload on Christmas Eve. While the Annunciation sets the stage for the miracle of Christ’s birth, the nativity captures its fulfilment. Together, these artworks celebrate the incredible story of God’s love and the people who played a role in His divine plan.

In conclusion, my rendition of the Annunciation is a labour of love, a blend of historical accuracy, artistic license, and spiritual reflection. It is a tribute to the masterful works of James Tissot and William Ladd Taylor, as well as a personal interpretation of a timeless biblical event. As I prepare to unveil my nativity artwork on Christmas Eve, I am filled with a sense of awe and gratitude for the opportunity to explore and express my faith through art. May this artwork serve as a reminder of the divine-human encounter that changed the course of history and continues to inspire generations.