Why is this painting semi-circular? | Fra Filippo Lippi's 'Annunciation' | National Gallery

Published 2023-12-01
Curatorial Fellow Nicholas Flory takes a look at the details in Fra Filippo Lippi's painting of the Archangel Gabriel with Mary and explores the surprising location for where this painting might have been hung.

🎨 Find out more about 'The Annunciation': www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/fra-filippo-l…

🎨 Find out more about Fra Filippo Lippi: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/fra-filippo-lip…

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All Comments (21)
  • This was a most interesting talk about the painting. Very well done by the presenter, Nicholas Flory. Such a beautiful painting, exquisite.
  • @mcsquare4439
    I wrote an essay on this painting last year. It's one of those gems in art where the more you look at it the more you've fallen in love with it.
  • @v.ra.
    Very competently presented. Good work 👏
  • @zoemahon4749
    Very informative and left me feeling that I had actually learned something. Thanks.
  • @pattersondsmccd
    The National Gallery is lucky to have such a wonderful curatorial fellow in Mr. Flory: a natural communicator who knows how to teach with clarity and passion. I learned so much. Thank you from California!
  • @leoperarm
    thanks for continuing to upload good, straightforward, informative videos such as this - suitable for everyone
  • Very interesting, and an excellent preparation for viewing the art in person, but without the company of an informative personal guide.
  • @pattersondsmccd
    Also: the videography and editing is so good. I loved the close-ups and many small touches that really helped me understand.
  • @ginacrusco234
    Fabulously compelling discussion. I had never before seen the dove's flight depicted in circular eddies of air and light, nor the connection of its light with the virgin's womb.
  • @purkaitsurajit53
    Florentine artworks are absolutely magnificent!! Full of symbolism and inner meaning, they continue to fascinate us even to this very day!! This painting too is no different. Many thanks to Mr. Nicholas Flory for explaining this outstanding artwork so beautifully and in such great detail!!🙏🙏😊😊❤❤
  • @user-wc8gi7bp6q
    Great overview of and detective work on this beautiful work. Loved listening to this interesting talk. Thank you from Australia!
  • Thank you Mr. Flory for mentioning Lucrezia Tornabouni and her possible involvement with this art. She is a fascinating person whom we don't know enough about. I understand there is some evidence of Lucrezia’s input in other artwork in the Medici Palace.
  • @stevie-ray2020
    I'm quite certain that there exists a similar Annunciation painting by Fra Filippo Lippi that is rectangular instead of semi-circular, as I wrote an essay while at university comparing it with another artist's work on the same subject! Would also totally agree that the shape was because of its intended position above a doorway!