s Annunciation - Hull Museums Collections

Annunciation

Born in Brussels, de Champaigne moved to Paris in 1621 and became a Court Painter in 1626. His life and work was deeply influenced by the Jansenists, an austere Catholic sect. The Annunciation shows the moment when the Virgin Mary is told she is to be the mother of Christ (Luke 1: 28ff). Champaigne focuses on the religious intensity of the scene. The stillness of the Virgin and the Angel Gabriel, with their symbolic gestures, contrasts with the flying putti (winged cherubs) circling round the dove of the Holy Spirit. Champaigne’s painting makes an interesting comparison with Maffei’s more dramatic version of the same scene, also on show in this gallery.