Botticelli: The Annunciation

          In Botticelli’s The Annunciation, Mary is seen having been praying or reading Divine Scripture, as a book lies open before her. Her attitude is that of one: “Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.” (Luke 1:29) And yet her face is serene and gentle, ready to accept God’s will. Through her humility, she became the Mother of God. As Mother of God and Queen of Heaven, the royalty of her personage is conveyed through the grandeur of her attire, the colors of which are royal, and the edges of all the garments lined with gold. The angel is holding lilies, symbolic of Mary’s virginity, and stretches forth his other hand in assurance. That he is of high rank is shown in his attire as well, for he is wearing a purple gown with a gold hem, of which the purple was a rare and costly color of cloth at that time. The painting calls to mind the incredible selflessness of Mary in saying “yes” to God, even though in doing so she would suffer with Christ, so that man may have a peace only to be attained through the passion and death of her Son in atonement for our sins.