The Impact of Apocryphal Sources on the Annunciation in Medieval Art
The Impact of Apocryphal Sources on the Annunciation in Medieval Art

Author(s): Marilyn Gasparini
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, History, Middle Ages, Theology and Religion, History of Religion
Published by: Trivent Publishing
Keywords: Annunciation; Virgin Mary; Apocrypha; Marian Depictions in Medieval Art; Affective piety
Summary/Abstract: The Virgin Mary was an essential medieval figure, and depictions of her are ubiquitous in art. Because she is mentioned only briefly in the Bible, apocryphal sources generate many of the details of her life. This paper presents apocryphal and other non-canonical sources as significant contributors to the depiction and interpretation of the Annunciation in medieval art. It focuses on how certain elements and concepts drawn from non-canonical writings converge so that the image of the Annunciation is seen as an interactive image.

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