THE ANNUNCIATION 16th century 90 x 46. Egg tempera on lime wood. From St. Parasceve's Church in the village of Dalyova (Poland). Lviv National Museum. # i-133 146k, jpeg. The Annunciation as subject is connected with the texts of St. Luke's Gospel and apocrypha - St. James' version of the Gospel and the Armenian Book. Scholars hold that the latter exerted the greatest influence on the formation of the iconography of this subject in Christian art. It can be found in Byzantine painting as early as the 5th century. In Kyivan Rus' there are several representations of the Annunciation in the frescos and mosaics of St. Sophia of Kyiv belonging to the first half of the 11th century. They could also be found in St. Michael's Cathedral of the Golden Dome (early 12th century) and St. Cyril's Church (second half of the 12th century). The main personages of the Annunciation are Mary and the Archangel Gabriel, God's messenger, whose coming is connected with good news concerning the immaculate conception or the incarnation of Christ. On the icon from the village of Dalyova the Archangel Gabriel seems to be descending from the sky. Illuminated with light he has not yet folded his wings and is slowly descending to the ground which is lavishly covered with grass. In his left hand, he holds a criterion while, with his right hand, he blesses Mary. She sits with her head slightly bent, as if in readiness for a dialogue with God's messenger. The artist depicts Mary plunged in a deep reverie; her feelings, her entire poetic images are far removed from sinful earth. Above the center of the icon a radiant light is flowing from the sky, infusing the scene with divine grace. http://www.christusrex.org/www1/lviv/Gallery/Room6.html