Patricia Ballard : The Annunciation

Patricia Ballard

Patricia Ballard

<p style='text-align: justify;'> This icon/painting is patterned after the painting by Ilario da Viterbo, 1393, Portiuncula, Basilica of Santa Maria Degli Angeli, Assisi, and the work of Fra Angelico, 1426, Prado, Madrid. </p><p style='text-align: justify;'> This work contains the kerygma - the Fall of humanity, the promise of a Redeemer and the fulfillment of that promise as Our Lady gives her fiat to be mother of the Redeemer. </p><p style='text-align: justify;'> The symbol of the lily seen in the Angel Gabriel's embroidered robes, in the halos of both the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary, in the stone and wall decorations as well as in the living plant, all speak of Mary's spotless purity. The Angel Gabriel kneels before Mary because she is queen of men, women and angels. </p><p style='text-align: justify;'> The symbol of the peacock, seen in the gold embroidery motif of the red hanging fabric, speaks of the imminent resurrection of Jesus Christ after his passion and death. The open fan tail of the peacock suggests the glorified body of the risen Christ and ultimately each resurrected soul. The fleur-de-lis motif of 3 petals (on Gabriel’s robes) speaks of the 3 Persons of the Holy Trinity. </p>