Antoniazzo Romano
Our Lady of the Annunciation Gives
the Dowry to the Poor Maidens
1500
Tempera on wood
Church
of Santa Maria sopra Minerva
The Dominican next to the angel is Cardinal Juan de Torquemada
(1388-1468), who endowed a confraternity for the benefit of poor
maidens without a dowry. The cardinal is buried at Santa Maria sopra
Minerva. He was the uncle of the famous Spanish inquisitor Tomás
de Torquemada.
What is remarkable about the painting is the insertion of the
Torquemada-maidens story into what would otherwise be a conventional
Annunciation -- with the Father, the Spirit, Gabriel, and the usual
furniture. Even the gesture of the Virgin Mary's left hand resembles
the hands-on-breast indication of humility seen in so many
Annunciations.
More of the Annunciation
Photographed at the
site by Richard Stracke