Content area
The depiction of Mary in lyrical and visual art from the Baroque and Enlightenment in Spain, as seen through a theological lens comprising both the early Church fathers and modern authors, can greatly expand current viewpoints about beauty. This study examines Leandro Fernández de Moratín’s cántico “La anunciación” (1813) and Francisco Ricci’s painting La Anunciación (1663) as lyrical and visual components of the Annunciation, the moment in the Bible in which the angel Gabriel delivered the message from God that Mary was to be the mother of Christ. The analysis considers an interdisciplinary approach through theological, artistic, and literary references consulted within the framework of the study and achieves a more complete picture of the beauty of Mary during the Annunciation. This dissertation also serves as a bridge between the fields in order to create a space for dialogue, mutual understanding, and richness of knowledge. Therefore, by analyzing lyrical and visual art together, the exploration of Mary’s beauty as discussed in theological writings and their counterparts in the arts will enhance current understandings of the Annunciation and question notions of modern beauty standards.