The Annunciation (1535)

This page presents "The Annunciation" (1535), created by Aertgen Claesz van Leyden. Historical background, 1535: Elsewhere, the Mughal court in India developed a distinctive tradition of miniature painting, and printed images continued to travel widely between countries. The Protestant Reformation changed how religious imagery was commissioned in northern Europe, while Venetian painters made rich colour and brushwork a central concern. The catalogue places it in Religion. The format is portrait. Religion in brief: Religious painting is among the largest bodies of art ever made, from altarpieces, icons, and illuminated manuscripts to devotional prints. Buddhist painting, Hindu devotional imagery, and Islamic calligraphy and ornament each have conventions of their own.

On onlly.art "The Annunciation" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Religious subjects rely on symbolism, gesture, and layered painterly drama, so they tend to read best in calm and composed interiors. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

Dutch, 1498–1564

If you like the visual language of Aertgen Claesz van Leyden, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.