The artwork titled “The Annunciation (top left), the Nativity (top right), Christ’s Baptism (bottom left), and the Transfiguration (bottom right)” was created by an artist associated with Orthodox Icons approximately between the years 1310 and 1320. This piece is rendered in tempera on a panel and is part of the Late Byzantine/Palaeologan Renaissance art movement, which spanned from 1261 to 1453. It belongs to the genre of iconography and is part of the “Evangelical cycle”. The artwork is currently housed in the British Museum located in London, UK.
The artwork comprises four distinct scenes, each representing a significant event in Christian theology. The top left quadrant depicts the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will conceive Jesus Christ. In the top right quadrant, the Nativity scene shows the birth of Jesus, surrounded by key figures such as Mary and Joseph. The bottom left quadrant illustrates Christ’s Baptism, with John the Baptist performing the rite and the Holy Spirit descending. Lastly, the bottom right quadrant portrays the Transfiguration, a moment where Christ reveals His divine glory to His disciples. Each scene is intricately detailed, reflecting the rich iconographic tradition of the Byzantine era. The use of tempera and the panel medium, combined with the sophisticated artistry, exemplifies the religious devotion and artistic excellence that characterized the Palaeologan Renaissance.
