gold

A girl speaking to an angel, face to face, body to body, words, though in her language, probably not making sense. What an experience this must have been! In my beloved Fra Angelico's version, the ubiquitous lillies and scriptures are forsaken for the sake of simplicity. Ornament is not the point here, for Mary was not extravagant. Sitting on a three-legged stool, she floats in a pool of gold, the only sign of her sacredness. Gabriel, clad in color, with rainbow wings, is smaller than Mary. His smile and his pink robe speak of loving-kindness. His message: You have found favor in God. What a way to put it! "You have found favor in God." She is the subject of the sentence, and of the painting.