Palermo - The results of new studies on the "Virgin Annunciate", one of the most famous works by Antonello da Messina. will be presented in the Sala Magna at Palazzo Chierimonte on June 27th at 16:30.

Thanks to the latest research, it was possible to discover more about the book depicted in the painting. For years scholars tried to figure out what the signs in the manuscript before the Virgin Mary represent: she is in front of a Magnificat, as proved by the "M" that opens the text. 

Secondly, it seems that references to the Holy Spirit are contained in the painting, curiously represented in the form of wind, as the pages seem moved by an air blow. It is the first time that this figure is observed within the work. Among the various explanations, the main is an etymological one: the word spirit in Hebrew is translated as breath, air, wind. 

The research includes also a theory on the identity of the Virgin Annunciate, initially identified as Santa Eustochia Calafato, born in Messina in the same period of Antonello. It was not possible to exhume the remains of the woman to proceed with the reconstruction of her face, but it is likely that it does not match with that of the Madonna, for reasons related to the model's age.

Finally, the painting of Palermo was compared with the '"Virgin Annunciate of Munich", also by Antonello da Messina. 
The analysis showed that the latter was represented by the artist before the conception, while in the Sicilian version the scene depicts the moments after it. 
This interpretation is supported by some small details such as the face of the two Madonnas: the former face of Mary shows a serene smile, while in German work the mouth is opened, as if she was suddenly seized with amazement as the angel talks to her. Even the different position of the hands supports this hypothesis.