Nicola di Maestro Antonio, Triptych of the Annunciation

Last quarter of the 15th century
Ducal Palace, Urbino, Italy

In the central panel the angel speaks the words AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA ("Hail Mary full of grace"). Unusually, the architectural division between the two figures has been minimized, with the angel standing on the same floor as Mary and his hand reaching out past the vertical separation suggested by the column. Note also that the green trees and grass in the background further unite the composition. Above, the Father oversees the scene, his face and beard lined up along the same axis as the dove. On the left and right are SS. John Gualbert and Benedict respectively.

Detail of God the Father
Detail of St. John Gualbert
Detail of St. Benedict

This image in full resolution

More of the Annunciation
More of the Trinity
More of St. John Gualbert
More of St. Benedict

Photographed at the Ducal Palace by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.