The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25, nine months before Christmas. Two art-centered engagement opportunities offer ways to reflect and explore this pivotal moment in the life of Mary.
The Annunciation in Art
According to the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary and announces God’s plan:
Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. — Luke 1:30-33
After learning how she would conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit, Mary responds, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
“Greatly troubled” by the angel’s appearance, Mary asks, “How can this be?” However, Mary’s faith overcomes her questioning, giving her the strength to accept her role as the mother of Jesus. This acceptance is known as her fiat, Latin for “let it be done.”
Two exhibits of Annunciation artwork from the Marian Library’s collections demonstrate a variety of traditions and innovations. Blessed Among Women: The Annunciation in Contemporary Art, in the Stuart and Mimi Rose Gallery, features 30 pieces of art recently donated from John A. Kohan’s Sacred Art Pilgrim Collection. Fiat and Faith: Symbolism of the Annunciation, in the Marian Library Gallery, explores the meaning behind symbols such as the book, the lily and the dove found in depictions of the Annunciation from the Marian Library’s collections of artwork, rare books, postcards and holy cards.
Both exhibits offer visitors ways to engage more deeply with the art and items on display. Two additional activities encourage prayer and close looking.
Praying Through Art
Visio divina, a practice of praying through art, is rooted in ancient Christianity and preserved in Eastern Christian iconography and Benedictine prayer. It combines visual artwork with textual context (usually Scripture). Visio divina can contain up to six movements and can be an individual or group experience. By adding context and using prompts for reflection, one may make meaning of a piece of art and come to a deeper understanding than they could through a quick glance. For those who cannot visit the exhibits in person, a printable version of the visio divina prompts is available. Pair the prompts with a piece of Annunciation artwork found at home, in a book or online.
After looking at the artwork and reading the Annunciation passage from the Gospel of Luke, visitors may reflect upon one or more questions such as: Who do you understand Mary to be? What is challenging to understand about Mary?
Seeking Symbols
Inspired by a popular activity at the Marian Library’s annual Christmas exhibit, a seek-and-find activity invites visitors to look closely for examples of 17 symbols often found in Annunciation art. While some symbols are obvious and plentiful, others may require careful attention to detail.
While searching for symbols, visitors can learn about what they mean. For example:
- The book can represent Old Testament prophecies. Popular in depictions of the Annunciation from the Middle Ages, the depiction of a book also presented Mary as a model of medieval womanhood — a woman focused on personal piety through reading religious texts.
- The lily can represent Mary’s purity. According to legend, when Mary touched a scentless lily presented by the angel Gabriel, it suddenly became fragrant. The fleur-de-lis, a stylized lily, can also be seen in depictions of the Annunciation.
- The dove can represent the Holy Spirit. The earliest extant image of the Holy Spirit in the form of the dove is a fifth-century mosaic of the Annunciation at Santa Maria Maggiore. Some contemporary artists use other winged creatures such as a cardinal or a hummingbird to symbolize the Holy Spirit.
Plan Your Visit
Both Annunciation exhibits are open through Oct. 23. While the Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated just once a year, continuing to learn about and reflect on Mary’s fiat is for every day. See go.udayton.edu/annunciation-exhibits for detailed information.
— Bridget Retzloff is an assistant professor and the coordinator of art collections and exhibits.
