Leonardo: Annunciazione (The Annunciation)

The Annunciation (1472-1475) by Leonardo depicts the annunciation by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she will conceive Jesus Christ and is set in the enclosed courtyard garden of a Florentine villa. The angel holds a Madonna lily, a symbol of Mary's virginity and of the city of Florence. It is supposed that Leonardo originally copied the wings from those of a bird in flight, but they have since been lengthened by a later artist. The background shows a Harbour scene that is believed to be that of Rome.