annunciatory angel

The relief shows the Angel Gabriel announcing to the Virgin that she would be the mother of Jesus. The hand of the Angel is raised in a gesture representing speech. The scene usually showns the Angel, the Virgin and the Dove symbolising the Holy Spirit descending towards her, often combined with other symbols. The feast of the Annunication is 25th March and its setting in spring is indicated by a vase of flowers, usually lilies which also symbolise the Virgin's purity. The arch on the left suggests that the Virgin was in an adjacent room which would have been represented on a separate panel.