Italian School 19th century oil on canvas painting, "The Angel of the Annunciation," depicting a winged angel, possibly Archangel Gabriel, holding a bouquet of lilies, a symbol of the Virgin Mother's purity at the time of her conception with the Christ child, rendered with dramatic tenebrism. Inscribed in Italian en verso of canvas "F. Furini fece dal'originale/ Florence 1812". Old Italian label for Gilder & Varnisher Carlo Bartolini, Florence, adhered en verso of frame. Housed in the original 19th-century custom Florentine frame with lily decoration to spandrels and pierced scrolling acanthus leaves to the perimeter. Sight: 27 1/2" H x 21 1/2" W. Framed: 39 1/2" H x 33 1/2" W. Italian, 19th-century. Note: The mention of Filippo or Francesco Furini as the source of the image is debatable, as the painting seems to more closely follow paintings based on the work of Carlo Dolci (Italian 1616-1686). For a similar example, see the painting by T. Berti, "The Angel of the Annunciation, 19th century, after Carlo Dolci," in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia.

PROVENANCE: The Estate of Edward Laudermilk, Nashville, Tennessee.

CONDITION: The painting has been lined. Light craquelure throughout, commensurate with age. Very light retouching to areas of minor flaking and traction cracks. Slight gilt loss to frame.