As da Messina created this piece near the end of his
career, it displays all his special talents brought to near perfection. In it,
young Mary appears as a Sicilian, in Arab costume. Interrupted in her reading
by the angel Gabriel, she appears young and afraid yet serene nonetheless.
The empty background emphasizes Mary’s importance,
while the reading table and book offer the scene context. The colors chosen for
her face and hands accomplish the artist’s intention perfectly: her pale, calm
face catches the eye, which then moves to her hands, trembling in the shadow.
“But she was greatly troubled at what was said and
pondered what sort of greeting this might be.”
Luke 1:29
