Annunciation Sketch after Tanner
for December 11, 2013


7.5" x 10" pencil on Strathmore, available to frame
click here for a larger image


I mentioned Henry Ossawa Tanner concerning a previous painting I made of Joseph.  Tanner was a great African American artist originally from Pittsburgh (my home town) and he's always been a favorite artist of mine.

Not until recently did I find his Annuciation paintings of Gabriel appearing to Mary as a burst of high energy light. An incandescent glow represents the angel instead of the traditional garb. For someone of his era, as electric lighting was coming more and more onto the scene, that would have made sense. We don't marvel anymore at the lighting that is at our command. Likewise, the stories are old news to some, maybe worth repeating or supporting for the sake of the economy but not of the lustre they once were. They, too, seem to be at our command, but guess what? 

How sad that we hear such pitiful things at this time of year in songs, on cards, and sweat shirts.  Thinking the story is at their command, people make light of just about everything connected to the infancy narratives. God, though, really does make the best light of it --really lightens up the dark scene, and reveals good news to all people --beginning with an extraordinary announcement to a young woman. 

I've borrowed from Tanner but want to rework his figure. I'll show her more guarded at first, legs crossed, a protective pose of arms. Her reserve became enlightened and her response says all that is necessary for any of us, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”   --Pastor Jack