Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
Van Eyck, Annunciation, iconography, painting
College
Fine Arts and Communications
Department
Art
Abstract
The Northern Renaissance artist who best understood iconography’s potential in painting was Jan van Eyck (1390-1441), whose Annunciation (1434) is a masterpiece of Netherlandish art and one of the most important paintings of the Northern Renaissance. Integrated into this work is symbolism that refers to the Trinity, the Old and New Testament, and events leading up to the birth of Christ. Outside of the painting’s major symbolic cycle, however, are a number of other details that add further meaning to the scene. Among these are the rainbow colored wings of the Archangel Gabriel embellished with peacock feathers. These details are significant in their context because they serve as references to the resurrection, the last judgment, and immortality. Therefore it is necessary to examine their possible meaning in the painting in order to completely understand the Annunciation and its iconographic program.
Recommended Citation
Amott, David and Peacock, Dr. Martha
(2014)
"A Symbolic Study of Van Eyck’s Annunciation,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 466.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/466