WEYDEN, Rogier van der
(b. 1400, Tournai, d. 1464, Bruxelles)

St Columba Altarpiece (left panel)

c. 1455
Oil on oak panel, 138 x 70 cm
Alte Pinakothek, Munich

The picture shows the Annunciation, the left panel of the altarpiece executed for the St Columba church in Cologne.

The angel has entered Mary's chamber through a closed door and is speaking the words "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee" in Latin, coming out of his mouth in gold lettering. With its tiled floor, stained-glass window, and the magnificent bed covered with extremely expensive gold brocade, the room is far from a humble dwelling, and seems more suited to a palace.