Jean Hey, known as the Master of Moulins, was a leading painter in 15th-century France. Here, he captured the moment the archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to a son. The painting once formed the right side of an altarpiece, with the left side depicting Mary’s own Immaculate Conception and a central section, now lost, featuring the enthroned Virgin and Child.

The Annunciation

Jean Hey, (the Master of Moulins)

Jean Hey, known as the Master of Moulins, was a leading painter in 15th-century France. Here, he captured the moment the archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to a son. The painting once formed the right side of an altarpiece, with the left side depicting Mary’s own Immaculate Conception and a central section, now lost, featuring the enthroned Virgin and Child.

Colors in this work

Details

Date
1490–95
Medium
Oil on panel
Dimensions
72.5 × 50.1 cm (28 1/2 × 19 11/16 in.); Framed: 86.3 × 65.4 cm (34 × 25 3/4 in.)
Origin
Netherlands
Holding institution
Art Institute of Chicago
Image provider
art-institute-chicago
License
CC0-1.0
Credit
Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson Collection

Art Genome Taxonomy

12 tags

Subject Matter

  • Bible Story Both · 99%

    The title and catalog description identify the Annunciation, while the image visibly depicts Gabriel announcing to Mary in a sacred narrative scene.

  • The image visibly shows the Virgin Mary, the winged archangel Gabriel, and a dove; the catalog identifies Virgin Mary, angels, religious figures, Christianity, and the Holy Spirit among the subjects.

  • Interiors Both · 99%

    The scene takes place inside a constructed, furnished architectural setting, and the catalog explicitly lists interior as a subject.

  • A curtained bed alcove is clearly visible at the right, and the catalog lists bedrooms among the subjects.

Styles and Movements

  • Renaissance Art Metadata · 99%

    The catalog dates the work to 1490–95 and lists Renaissance among its styles.

Visual Qualities

  • Highly Detailed Visual · 98%

    The painting gives precise attention to feathers, hair, textiles, jewelry-like trim, architectural ornament, tile patterns, and the open book.

  • Bright and Vivid Colors Visual · 95%

    Strong green, blue, red, and gold passages create a saturated and vivid palette despite the darker architectural setting.

Medium and Techniques

  • Altarpiece Metadata · 96%

    The catalog identifies the work as the right wing of a larger altarpiece.

  • Oil on Panel Metadata · 99%

    The recorded medium is oil on panel.

  • Painting Metadata · 99%

    The museum classification identifies the work as a painting.

Time Periods

  • 15th Century Art Metadata · 99%

    The catalog date of 1490–95 places the work in the fifteenth century.

Furniture and Lighting

  • Bed Both · 98%

    The image shows a clearly rendered bed, and the catalog lists bed among the subjects.

Source & rights

Jean Hey, (the Master of Moulins). The Annunciation. The Art Institute of Chicago.

High-resolution sources