
by Simone Martini, 1333
Simone Martini and his brother-in-law Lippo Memmi created the Annunciation with St. Margaret and St. Ansanus in 1333 for Siena Cathedral. The central panel, measuring over 3 meters wide, blazes with real gold that would have shimmered by candlelight. The Archangel Gabriel's cloak flutters as if he's just landed, startling the Virgin Mary who draws back in surprise.
The gold background bears the Latin greeting "Ave Gratia Plena Dominus Tecum" (Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is With You). Tooled patterns and punchwork add texture to the gilding. The elegant, elongated figures typify International Gothic style, closer to French manuscripts and German paintings than to Italian art of the period.
The altarpiece has been at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence since 1799. The original frame dates the work clearly: "SYMON MARTINI ET LIPPVS MEMMI DE SENIS ME PINXERVNT ANNO DOMINI MCCCXXXIII." It remains one of the most splendid examples of Gothic painting in existence.

Leonardo da Vinci
Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Florence

Sandro Botticelli, 1482
Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Florence

Sandro Botticelli
Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Florence

Fra Angelico
Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Florence
Other masterpieces from the Renaissance movement

Raphael, 1512
Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden, Dresden

Sandro Botticelli, 1485
Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Florence

Raphael, 1511
Vatican Museums, Vatican City

Raphael, 1510
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Titian, 1538
Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Florence

Titian, 1555
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

El Greco, 1614
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Sandro Botticelli, 1482
Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Florence
Luxury wall art with the same mood and energy. Gallery-quality canvas, no museum crowds.
Browse Collection