Florence Annunciation

While traveling awhile back,

I collected Annunciations for a client and friend who loved them.

And somewhere along my path of collecting them around Europe,

they have become my favorite as well. 

In keeping with our theme of Italy

for the setting of my novel,

this one is in Florence, Italy.

I love the cornucopia surrounding the scene

and the colorful wings of the angel Gabriel. 

He is often depicted holding the Madonna Lily

(Lilium Candidum)

which is thought to be the basis of the Fleur de Lis

as well as the symbol for Florence.

How fitting! 

I also love that in this depiction,

the Madonna is not putting her hand up

as she is in so many.

Often to me it looks like she is saying "Oh no, I couldn't possibly!"
or "Forget it, do you have any idea what that means?" 

In this one, it looks almost as if her hand is over her heart.

A Greek friend of ours,

who survived a very deadly form of cancer,

looks at every single day as a gift.

And when I see these depictions,

it reminds me to see every day as a gift from God and the universe

,,, for all of us. 

How will we use it?!  

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)