Fra Angelico: The Annunciation (Convent of San Domenico version), (1425-1428)

(Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain)

Fra Angelico, born as Guido di Pietro, was an Italian painter from the 15th century. He joined the Dominican order in Fiesole. When he joined the order, he took the new name of Fra Giovanni but he is better known today as Fra Angelico or 'the Angelic friar'. This painting, part of an altarpiece, is a good example of his talent. The painting is divided into two parts. The left one shows the loss of man - Adam and Eve are expelled from Paradise. The right piece shows the salvation of man - the annunciation of Maria. The angel Gabriel  visits Maria to tell her she will become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. A ray of light shines with a white dove (the Holy Spirit) from God in the upper left corner to Maria. Painting from around 1425-1428.