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contact:
malbon@vt.edu

Dr. Hornik is Associate Professor of Art History and Director of the Martin Museum of Art at Baylor University. Dr. Parsons is Professor of Religion (New Testamen) at Baylor University. Drs. Hornik and Parsons (who are spouses as well as colleagues) have authored Illuminating Luke: The Infancy Narrative in Italian Renaissance Painting, to be published by Trinity Press International.

Their paper explores the theological dimensions of Leonardo's Uffizi Annunciation (c. 1473-75). Following a brief overview of the literary structure of the scene in Luke, the paper turns to Leonardo's life and the details surrounding this painting. Leonardo's Annunciation depicts the initial moment of the encounter between Gabriel and Mary. But rather than depicting her as troubled or surprised by Gabriel's greeting, Leonardo shows her to be an obedient recipient of the divine message, a priestess willing to intercede in humanity's behalf by becoming the mother of God. The result of Leonardo's work is a rich theological interpretation of the Annunciation that draws on visual and literary sources to emphasize Mary's role in salvation history and in many ways enriches our reading of the Lukan text itself.

2002, Toronto


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