Student Artwork Guide — The Annunciation

Name Class Date

Vittore Carpaccio, The Annunciation (1504). Public domain.

The facts

Artist: Vittore Carpaccio wikioo.org/en/artists/vittore-carpaccio/
Artist’s dates: 1465 – 1526
Painted: 1504
Original size: 127 x 139 cm
Movement: High Renaissance The brief peak when balance, depth and anatomy came together — Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Vittore Carpaccio died in 1526; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1596.

The Annunciation — Vittore Carpaccio

How big is it?

The original measures 127 × 139 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

1460
1470
1480
1490
1500
1510
1520

Shaded: the lifetime of Vittore Carpaccio (1465–1526) ▲ this work, 1504

Compare with

Christ with the Symbols of the Passion Surrounded by Angels, 1510 wikioo.org/en/art/vittore-carpaccio-christ-with-the-symbols-of-the-passion-surrounded-6E3TK8-en/
The Meditation on the Passion, 1510 wikioo.org/en/art/vittore-carpaccio-the-meditation-on-the-passion-8Y3VHG-en/
Martyrdom of the Pilgrims and the Funeral of St Ursula, 1493 wikioo.org/en/art/vittore-carpaccio-martyrdom-of-the-pilgrims-and-the-funeral-of-st-ur-8Y35LH-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wikioo.org/en/art/similar/vittore-carpaccio-the-annunciation-8XZ6C8-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Rosy Brown #aaae7f

Catalogued palette

#AAAE7F
#7C6E4B
#DBEBBB
#433625

Palette: Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
Main colour name: Rosy Brown
Intensity: Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Balanced Harmony How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

The Annunciation — Vittore Carpaccio

The Annunciation by Vittore Carpaccio is a captivating representation of the biblical scene, painted in the High Renaissance style. Created in 1504, this oil on canvas painting measures 127 x 139 cm and showcases the artist's skill and attention to detail. The painting is available for viewing on AllPaintingsStore.com, where art enthusiasts can appreciate its beauty and elegance.

Composition and Symbolism

In the foreground, an angel with vibrant red wings stands on a balcony adorned with intricate white columns. The angel holds a scroll, symbolizing the announcement of divine news. Below the balcony, two birds are perched on a ledge, adding life to the scene. The background is filled with lush greenery and trees, providing a natural backdrop for the architectural elements in the foreground. A church spire rises above the foliage, suggesting a religious setting. Key features of the painting include its balanced composition, harmonious colors, and attention to detail. The artist's use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and dimensionality, drawing the viewer into the scene. The Annunciation is a quintessential example of High Renaissance art, showcasing Vittore Carpaccio's mastery over composition, color, and perspective.

Artist and Style

Vittore Carpaccio was an Italian painter of the Venetian school, who studied under Gentile Bellini. His style was somewhat conservative, showing little influence from the Humanist trends that transformed Italian art during the Renaissance. However, his works are characterized by their elegance, harmony, and attention to detail. The Annunciation is one of his most famous paintings, and it can be found in the collection of the Museum Fine Art Society (United Kingdom), which is introduced on AllPaintingsStore.com.

The painting is a representation of the biblical scene of the Annunciation.

It was created in 1504 by Vittore Carpaccio.

The painting measures 127 x 139 cm and is executed in oil on canvas.

For more information on Vittore Carpaccio and his works, visit AllPaintingsStore.com, or check the list of notable individuals from Italy on Wikipedia.

The Annunciation by Vittore Carpaccio is a masterpiece of High Renaissance art, and its beauty and elegance can be appreciated on AllPaintingsStore.com.

Artist

Vittore Carpaccio

Born in Venice, Italy

early life and training

vittore carpaccio, a prominent italian painter, was born in venice around 1465. he studied under the tutelage of gentile bellini, a renowned artist of the venetian school. this apprenticeship laid the foundation for carpaccio's future success.

artistic style and influences

carpaccio's style was characterized by its conservative nature, showing minimal influence from the humanist trends that transformed italian renaissance painting during his lifetime. his work was influenced by antonello da messina's style and early netherlandish art. this unique blend of styles resulted in a distinctive approach to venetian painting.

notable works

the legend of saint ursula, a cycle of nine paintings, is carpaccio's most famous work. this series, now housed in the gallerie dell'accademia, showcases his mastery of narrative painting.

glory of st. ursula altarpiece (1491) demonstrates carpaccio's skill in capturing light and color, reminiscent of giovanni bellini's style.

miracle of the relic of the cross at the ponte di rialto (1494) highlights carpaccio's ability to balance composition and narrative.

career highlights and legacy

carpaccio's principal works were executed between 1490 and 1519, ranking him among the early masters of the venetian renaissance.

his orientalist style, as seen in st. george baptizing the selenites, reflects a new fascination with the levant.

carpaccio's work has been somewhat overlooked in comparison to his contemporaries, such as giovanni bellini or giorgione.

references and further reading

vittore carpaccio's artworks on AllPaintingsStore

vittore carpaccio on wikipedia

the italian renaissance art movement on AllPaintingsStore

discover more about vittore carpaccio and the venetian school on AllPaintingsStore.

Where to read more

The artist Vittore Carpaccio wikioo.org/en/artists/vittore-carpaccio/
Similar works More works to compare wikioo.org/en/art/similar/vittore-carpaccio-the-annunciation-8XZ6C8-en/
Article Jacopo Tintoretto's Masterpieces: 25 Paintings That Define Venetian Drama wikioo.org/en/articles/jacopo-tintoretto-s-masterpieces-25-paintings-that-define-venetian-drama-en/
Article Italian Renaissance Art: A Procurement Guide to Timeless Masterpieces for High-End Hotel Interiors wikioo.org/en/articles/aps-misc-italian-renaissance-art-a-procurement-guide-to-timeless-masterpieces-for-high-end-hotel-interiors-en/
Article Venetian Renaissance: The Mastery of Color, Light, and the Art of Colorito wikioo.org/en/articles/mfp-misc-venetian-renaissance-the-mastery-of-color-light-and-the-art-of-colorito-en/
Article Mastering the Surface: A Historical and Technical Guide to the Art of Oil on Panel Painting wikioo.org/en/articles/mfp-misc-mastering-the-surface-a-historical-and-technical-guide-to-the-art-of-oil-on-panel-painting-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for The Annunciation

wikioo.org/en/art/download/vittore-carpaccio-the-annunciation-8XZ6C8-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: Carpaccio, Vittore. The Annunciation. 1504, https://wikioo.org/en/art/vittore-carpaccio-the-annunciation-8XZ6C8-en/
APA: Carpaccio, Vittore (1504). The Annunciation [Painting]. https://wikioo.org/en/art/vittore-carpaccio-the-annunciation-8XZ6C8-en/
Chicago: Vittore Carpaccio. The Annunciation. 1504. https://wikioo.org/en/art/vittore-carpaccio-the-annunciation-8XZ6C8-en/
Harvard: Carpaccio, Vittore (1504) The Annunciation. Available at: https://wikioo.org/en/art/vittore-carpaccio-the-annunciation-8XZ6C8-en/

The Annunciation — Vittore Carpaccio

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 2 — do you agree?)
Our catalogue files this work under: annunciation, religious art, angel. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
Look back at Christ with the Symbols of the Passion Surrounded by Angels (1510), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.