The Study of Three Paintings of the Annunciation of Christ by Martini, Da Vinci, and Rossetti Using An Iconographical Approach

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Painting, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.

Abstract

Abstract
Problem statement: The subject of the announcement of the birth of Christ to Maryam by Gabriel, among other narratives with religious subjects such as the crucifixion of Christ has always been the focus of painters in the past. There are different narratives in the holy books about the time when God informed Maryam about the pregnancy of Christ. These narrations are found in the Holy Quran, the texts of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew, and the Gospel of Luke. In this article, three works in three different periods with the theme of the birth of Christ by three artists, Simone Martini, Leonardo da Vinci, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, are studied based on the iconology point of view. Iconology is a kind of qualitative research method and also a branch of art history, whose founder is Erwin Panofsky, a prominent figure of the Warburg school. The questions of this research are: Based on the principle of iconography in the representation of the gospel story, which symbolic values have the artists explained? According to the narratives of religious books, why is there no sign of Joseph’s presence in most of the paintings of the gospel of Christ? Regardless of the different narratives about how Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus Christ, The explanation of symbolic values has caused a difference in the form and semantic concepts in the visualization of this story, which is the basis of the answer to the definition of the problem in this research.
Research objective: The purpose is to describe the structure of Figures and to identify the role of elements and relationships between them, as well as to examine subject and theme, relying on historical sources and finally explaining symbolic values.
Research method: The research method in this article is historical-descriptive based on the model of Panofsky
Conclusion: The analysis reveals a convergence of artistic interpretation with the Gospel of Luke and the Quran in the portrayal of the Annunciation, excluding Joseph’s presence. Symbolism, such as the white lily and Mary’s attire, effectively conveys spiritual and religious messages in these artworks. Each artist brings a distinct perspective to this sacred event, reflecting their unique creative approaches and providing valuable insights into the narrative’s essence and significance.

Keywords

References

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The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar
Volume 20, Issue 127
January 2023
Pages 21-32

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