El Greco, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
El Greco's Annunciation in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is a small but brilliantly executed early work — painted around 1576, the year El Greco arrived in Toledo, and demonstrating the Venetian training he had received under Titian and his subsequent Roman experience. The composition shows Gabriel and the Virgin in a Venetian-style architectural setting, the dove of the Holy Spirit descending in a burst of golden light from above.
The elongated figures and the cool blues and greens of El Greco's mature Toledo palette are beginning to emerge; the Venetian colour and luminosity are still fully present. The work is one of several Annunciation compositions El Greco made throughout his career — the later versions (including the Prado Annunciation, c.1596-1600) show the full development of his personal style.
For El Greco's biographical context, see entry 185 (Metropolitan Museum Christ Carrying the Cross). The Thyssen Annunciation represents El Greco at the transition point between his Venetian formation and his Toledo maturity — a transitional work of historical importance and considerable beauty.
Compare the Thyssen Annunciation with the later versions of the subject by El Greco to trace his stylistic development. The Thyssen version retains more of the Venetian warmth and naturalistic figure proportions; the later versions show the increasingly elongated figures, the expressionistic colour, and the spiritual intensity of the Toledo style.
When standing before this work, look carefully: The Annunciation — El Greco, c.1576. Give it time — what seems decorative often carries the central meaning.
When standing before this work, look carefully: The dove of the Holy Spirit in golden light. Give it time — what seems decorative often carries the central meaning.
When standing before this work, look carefully: Gabriel — Venetian colour and elegance. Give it time — what seems decorative often carries the central meaning.
When standing before this work, look carefully: The Virgin — early Toledo style emerging. Give it time — what seems decorative often carries the central meaning.
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Paseo del Prado 8, Madrid. Open Monday-Sunday; admission fee. The Thyssen holds a significant collection of El Greco's early and transitional works.