Rogier van der Weyden, The Annunciation, ca. 1460, Oil on oak, 20 x 12 cm, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp
Marija Jaensch
82 5/8 x 63 in
Further images
This large-scale work (210 x 160 cm) uses fabric instead of paint, combining blue denim and white cotton stretched over a frame. The textile pieces are meticulously cut and sewn to create repeating diamond patterns, with 8x8 cm squares made of up to five pieces each. The geometric design alternates between blue diamonds on white grounds and contrasting monocoloured squares. The pattern draws inspiration from Rogier van der Weyden's 'Annunciation to the Virgin' (ca. 1460) in Antwerp's Royal Museum of Fine Arts. While not directly copying the original's floor pattern, Jaensch's work captures the essence of Early Netherlandish painting's light treatment. The varying shades of denim reflect the original painting's light distribution, which illuminates the Virgin Mary and Archangel Gabriel from the upper right. Though Jaensch omits the religious figures, her work maintains the light and shadow dynamics of van der Weyden's small panel (20 x 12 cm). The connection to the historical piece is subtly conveyed through the artwork's title.
Join our mailing list
* denotes required fields
We will process the personal data you have supplied to communicate with you in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in our emails.