Jacopo Sansovino (Jacopo de’ Tatti)

The Annunciation

ca. 1535

Terracotta.

85 x 40 x 32 cm (angel) y 89,7 x 36,5 x 25 cm (virgen)

Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid

Inv. no. (

DEC1599.1-2

)

ROOM 6

This sculpture group of the Annunciation has been part of the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection since 10 May 1928, when it was acquired by Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza through J. & S. Goldschmidt & Co. at the estate sale of Oscar Huldschinsky (1846−1931), organised by Cassirer and Helbing. While in the possession of Huldschinsky, a collector and industrialist born in Breslau, the figures adorned each end of the mantelpiece in the drawing room of his Berlin residence. In 1906, still owned by Huldschinsky, the group was shown for the first time in the exhibition staged by the Kaiser Friedrich-Museums-Vereins in the German capital, and in 1930 it was displayed at the Neue Pinakothek in Munich as part of the Rohoncz collection, the original name of the Thyssen-Bornemisza collections.

The theme of the Annunciation is linked to Venice, as legend has it that the city was founded on 25 March, the date on which the delivery of the message to Mary is commemorated. In addition, the most important feast in honour of the Virgin is the Assumption, which is celebrated on the same day that the city’s symbolic marriage to the sea was enacted. Both festivities entrusted the protection of the city to Christ’s mother. However, in spite of the link between the theme and the city, it has not been possible to connect the commissioning of this piece with Venice, though Wilhelm von Bode cited a Venetian chapel as its possible original location in his 1909 catalogue of the Huldschinsky collection.

Sansovino’s design follows the traditional guidelines for the position of the figures. Mary is on the right, with her left leg forward and her head slightly turned towards the angel who has appeared before her; in her left hand is the book she has been reading. The angel, on her right, leans forward to kneel before her and holds his hands to his chest, lightly pressing it with his fingers. Despite the volume and fine folds of the drapery covering the figures, Sansovino masterfully causes them to cling to the bodies to highlight parts of their anatomy: for example, the Virgin’s red tunic draws attention to her belly, navel and breasts. The proportion and classical features of the faces of both figures, which are made of clay – an unusual material for Sansovino – are extremely elegant and sophisticated. An important factor is the polychromy, which is evenly applied and golden in the angel, in accordance with his celestial nature, and beautifully complements the colours chosen for the Virgin, the traditional red for the tunic and blue and green for the cloak.

The Annunciation has been attributed to Jacopo Sansovino ever since it was brought to attention by critics; its dating, however, has been more widely debated. The date that is currently accepted by most scholars, around 1535, was established by Bruce Boucher (1991). Boucher took into account the suggestions of Cornelius von Fabriczy (1909) and Hans R. Weihrauch (1935), who considered the ensemble to have been executed around the same time as the bronzes for the Loggetta.

Both figures were restored in the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza’s workshop in 2017. Old overpaint applied during early restoration work, of which there is no record, was removed. Fragments of the angel had been reattached with modelling paste and covered in paint, particularly in the right arm, left leg and base. Saint Gabriel is currently incomplete, as two grooves are visible in his back where his wings were probably inserted.

This Annunciation is an exceptional loan that is on view in room 6 of the Museum.

Listen

Siglo XVI Sculpture Terracotta

Print page

Private and/or didactic use

The Annunciation

Jacopo Sansovino (Jacopo de’ Tatti)

The exploitation rights of the images correspond to the Fundación Coleccion Thyssen-Bornemisza, F.S.P. The Fundación authorizes the downloading of high-resolution images from its website for private use, use for educational and research purposes, and other non-commercial uses.

Use for educational and research purposes is understood as the non-commercial or advertising use of images in presentations, conferences, school or university work, in classes at regulated education institutions, as well as in academic publications, with a circulation of less than 1,000 copies, provided that it is non-profit.

Non-commercial use is understood as the use of the images in a context where no profit, monetary or commercial, is generated, directly or indirectly.

Any use other than those indicated above will require the prior written authorization of the Fundación Any request for educational and research use or for non-commercial use (including academic publications), should be directed by email to the Museum Photo Library through the email address archivo.fotografico@museothyssen.org. This department manages the worldwide distribution of the images of the works of the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza and the management of their reproduction rights for those uses.

The user agrees to use the image of the website solely and exclusively for the purposes described above and in accordance with the following terms of use:

Terms of use

If the image is used for reproduction, the work must be reproduced in its entirety. The image may not be manipulated, deformed, modified, or altered in any way. In particular, no superposition (of images or texts) on the reproduction is allowed.
The reproduction of a detail or part of the work may only be made with the prior written authorization of the Fundación. In this case, the credit line must include the following mention: “detail”.
Any total or partial reproduction of the images authorized by the Fundación must be accompanied by the following mention: Author's name. Title, Date © Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid.
The user will send to the Museum Photo Library of the Fundación one (1) free copy of the edition, publication or reproduction to the following address: Archivo Fotográfico, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Paseo del Prado, 8 28014 Madrid, Spain.

I have read and accept the Terms of Use

Download image

Commercial use

The Annunciation

Jacopo Sansovino (Jacopo de’ Tatti)

The Photographic Archive of the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza offers sale and rental service of photographic material of all the works on its Permanent Collection.

To request images or permits for commercial use in academic or research publications, that is, catalogues of other institutions, monographs and other specialized publications, you should contact the Museum's Commercial Archive by email at the e-mail archivo.fotografico@museothyssen.org.

To request images or permits for other commercial or advertising uses (general publications, merchandising, exhibitions, audio-visual works, web pages, etc.), you should contact the Museum's Commercial Archive by email at the e-mail archivo.comercial@museothyssen.org.

The Photo Library and the Museum's Commercial Archive manage the worldwide distribution of images of the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza works, as well as their reproduction rights. The applicable rates are calculated based on the nature and proposed use of the images, as well as the availability of the requested image.

Requests for scans or new photographs will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Once approved, an additional fee will apply. Re-photographing a work will require a minimum of six weeks to complete.

However, photographed works are protected by copyright. Therefore, regardless of the terms of use of the photographs set out below by the Foundation, it will be necessary to obtain a license from the author or copyright holder known to the Fundacion in order to reproduce or exploit the work.

I have read and accept the Terms of Use

Download image