Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

The Annunciation

ca. 1330–40
Not on view
To create these panels, a Florentine artist first drew the figures on the cotton canvases and then gave them to an embroiderer, who enriched them with brilliantly colored silks, gold threads and variety of stitches. The scenes have great
narrative charm-note especially the housemaid of the Virgin who quietly witnesses the angel's visit, and the baby Jesus who tries to retreat to his mother's arms during the Holy Family's visit to the Temple.

The panels are part of a larger ensemble that once decorated an altar. Florentine embroideries rarely survive, though they were once prized throughout Europe.

Please note that this textile is exhibited on a rotating basis due to conservation requirements.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Annunciation
  • Date: ca. 1330–40
  • Geography: Made in Florence, Italy
  • Culture: Italian
  • Medium: Silk, cotton, and metallic threads
  • Dimensions: 11 3/8 x 16 1/2 in. (28.9 x 41.9 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Embroidered
  • Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1960
  • Object Number: 60.148.1
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

More Artwork
Cassone with Fleur-de-Lis Pattern, Wood, raised gesso, metal foil and iron mounts, Italian
Cassone with Fleur-de-Lis Pattern
Italian
ca. 1350
Panel from a Mantle or Apron, Cotton, tasar silk; plain weave, embroidered
Panel from a Mantle or Apron
early 17th century
Two-Handled Jar with Lions' Heads, Tin-glazed earthenware, Italian
Two-Handled Jar with Lions' Heads
Italian
early 15th century
Panel, Silk embroidered on cotton, Indian, probably Gujarat
Panel
Indian, probably Gujarat
mid- to late 18th century
Cabinet frontal with panels from two Embriachi caskets, Baldassare degli Embriachi (Workshop) Italian, Bone and Certosina (inlays of stained woods, bone and horn) with traces of gilding, Italian
Cabinet frontal with panels from two Embriachi caskets
Baldassare degli Embriachi
ca. 1400–1409

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.