The artist who created this work is John Collier, known mostly as the sculptor who created the Catholic memorial at Ground Zero. Here he creates an annunciation in a modern suburban setting, though there is traditional iconography as well: Mary is reading from Isaiah about the young woman who will conceive and bear a son; there is a lily (though, to my eye, a whimsical, slightly tongue in cheek one that looks suspiciously like it was snatched out of a sanctuary about five days after Easter).
I like this Mary better than the Roman matron. I think she was this young. I think it's good to be shocked by her youth. It's good to be shocked by the whole thing.
I also like this Gabriel, looking, for all the world, like a recent army recruit who wandered into a Christmas pageant. And what are archangels, if not warriors? Is this perhaps another reason for Mary to be scared?
2 comments:
I have not commented but have been reading your series in my reader... brilliant.
This piece of art takes my breath away!
I had seen this before, but had forgotten it. Thanks for posting it. I like the saddle shoes and I agree with your interpretation. I also am following your series this Advent.
Post a Comment