Gothic Stained Glass Panels in the Cloisters, Sept. 2007

For the two panels above the single border panel:

The Annunciation, ca. 1290–1300
German
Pot-metal glass, vitreous paint; 1993.251.1: 29 1/8 x 28 3/4 in. (74 x 73 cm); 1993.251.2: 29 3/8 x 29 in. (74.6 x 73.7 cm)
The Cloisters Collection, 1993 (1993.251.1, .2)

These panels once initiated a glazing cycle dedicated to the Life of Christ installed in the axial bay of the Altenberg convent church choir. The angel Gabriel [on the bottom left] holds a scroll inscribed "AVE• [MARIA] GR•A[TIA] • P LENA" ("Hail [Mary], full of grace"), and behind the dove of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin an inscription reads "ECCE• ANC •ILLA• I[ESU] • N[OSTRI]• D[OMINUS]" ("Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord"). The angular linearity of the painting style, with its bold slashing strokes, combined with the strong junctures of color, make these panels exceptional examples of German glass painting of the period.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Works_Of_Art/viewOne.asp?dep=7&view..., .2