2009 July Archive at Angel Words and Art

Annunciation Angel by Garofalo, Italian Renaissance | BYBS

July 5th, 2009 by Kathleen

Annunciation angels were among the most popular subjects for angel art during the Italian Renaissance. There seem to be more of them than any other angels in classical Renaissance Christian religious art.

In this painting by Garofalo, an angel announces to the virgin, Mary, that she is to give birth to a holy child. Notice that the rather muscular-looking angel wears colored garments, though his wings appear to be white.

Compare this painting to other Annunciation angel paintings from early Renaissance, in which the angels often have small bird wings of various natural colors.

Garofalo painted during the Italian High Renaissance era, ca. 1481-1559. He was also known as Benvenuto Tisi or Tisio. Garofalo studied under Rafael. His own students included Girolamo da Carpi.