Florence:
Images of the Annunciation
Bas-relief of the Annunciation, Duomo
For centuries, the year in Florence began on March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation. The city didn't adopt the practice of starting the year on January 1st until 1750. There is a large plaque in the Loggia dei Lanzi that records the change, which was decreed in November 1749 by the grand duke of Tuscany, Francesco Stefano (r. 1737-65).
Needless to say, Florence is awash with images of the Annunciation. One of the oldest is a bas-relief on the south side of the Duomo. The largest depiction is in the loggia of the Ospedale di Santa Maria Nuova, the oldest hospital in Florence. It takes the form of a fresco and was painted, circa 1560, by Taddeo Zuccari (1529-66).
Needless to say, Florence is awash with images of the Annunciation. One of the oldest is a bas-relief on the south side of the Duomo. The largest depiction is in the loggia of the Ospedale di Santa Maria Nuova, the oldest hospital in Florence. It takes the form of a fresco and was painted, circa 1560, by Taddeo Zuccari (1529-66).
The Annunciation by Fra Filippo Lippi, Martelli Chapel, San Lorenzo
The Annunciation by Fra Angelico, Museo San Marco
The Annunciation by Andrea della Robbia, Ospedale degli Innocenti
The Annunciation by Pontormo, Barbadori Chape, Santa Felicita
The Annunciation by Taddeo Zuccari