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1 of 253523 objects
The Virgin Annunciate c.1385-90
Oil on panel | 71.4 x 20.5 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 403384
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This panel depicting the seated Virgin receiving the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove is unusually thick, suggesting that it once belonged to a large altarpiece. A second panel, depicting the kneeling Angel Gabriel, completes the Annunciation scene and is also in the Royal Collection (RCIN 403383). Both are thought to come from the same altarpiece, possibly the ‘Coronation’ triptych in the Magnani-Rocca Foundation (dated 1372). When juxtaposed the pair of paintings are visually conflicting, and they were perhaps separated over side panels.
The attribution to Giovanni del Biondo has not ben doubted; a distinctive and somewhat eccentric artist, his idiosyncrasies are well represented here in the wayward proportions, sharp, spiky features and strong sense of design. Acquired by Prince Albert in the nineteenth century, both panels were formerly in the Öttingen-Wallerstein Collection; old photographs show their folding, neo-Gothic frames bearing the Öttingen-Wallerstein arms.Provenance
One of the group of early Italian works from the 77 paintings belonging to Prince Ludwig von Oettingen-Wallerstein (1791-1870), which were first offered to Prince Albert in 1847 as security for a loan and came into his possession by default (no 12 in Waagen’s catalogue of 1854); 25 of them were accepted by the National Gallery in 1863.
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Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on panel
Measurements
71.4 x 20.5 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
86.5 x 50.1 x 6.5 cm (frame, external)