Collections And Critiques

The "Anunciation", one of the outstanding and most valuable tapestries in this country, has been loaned temporarily to the Fogg Museum and was put on exhibition yesterday in the Warburg Room of the Museum.

It is a 15th century French tapestry of the Gothic period and it is interesting for its clear and careful depiction of both human figures and Gothic architecture.

The Virgin is shown seated on a carved throne within a Gothic structure. Over her head is a canopy of a rich red color, while in her hand is a book which she is reading tranquilly. On her right the Archangel Gabriel is about to enter through an archway which is decorated with a scroll motif much like that which was so common in the Renaissance.

At the top of the tapestry God is shown stretching out his hands in blessing, while all about Him are many angels. The foreground and background are filled with foliage and flowers so typical of the millefleur tapestries of the same period.

The Gothie architecture is done especially well, with a keen eye for details, and the scroll motif on the archway is of particular interest because it shows that the Renaissance influence was beginning of penetrate into France.

The tapestry will probably remain on display throughout the spring and, it is hoped, for part of the summer.