# The Annunciation

**Jean Hey (called Master of Moulins)** (Netherlandish, active fourth quarter 15th century)  
1490–95  
Oil on panel  
72.5 × 50.1 cm (28 1/2 × 19 11/16 in.); Framed: 86.3 × 65.4 cm (34 × 25 3/4 in.)

Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1933.1062. [The museum's record](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/16327).

## About this work

Jean Hey, known as the Master of Moulins, was a leading painter in 15th-century France. Here, he captured the moment the archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to a son. The painting once formed the right side of an altarpiece, with the left side depicting Mary’s own Immaculate Conception and a central section, now lost, featuring the enthroned Virgin and Child.

_Text from the Art Institute of Chicago._

Jean Hey (called Master of Moulins) painted this in 1490–95, aged about 15. It is now at the Art Institute of Chicago.

### What you’re looking at

Painting of the Annunciation, dove flying above Mary with angel.

_Description from the Art Institute of Chicago._

### How it was made

- **Oil on panel.** Oil paint on prepared wooden boards, usually oak in the north and poplar in Italy. The rigid, smooth surface suits fine detail and thin, glowing glazes.
- **Oil paint.** Pigment ground in a drying oil, usually linseed. It dries slowly, so painters could blend on the canvas, build up thin translucent glazes, and rework a picture over weeks. Canvas replaced wooden panels in the 1500s because it is lighter and can be rolled.

### [Jean Hey (called Master of Moulins)](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/jean-hey-called-master-of-moulins)

Netherlandish, active fourth quarter 15th century

## Facts

- Type: Painting
- Culture: Netherlands
- The artist was about 15
- Real size: about 28 × 20 in (72 × 50 cm). The 20 × 30 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 15th century
- Movement: [Renaissance](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/renaissance)
- Subjects: The Annunciation, architecture, bed, bedrooms, blue (color), green (color), interior, red (color)
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/50.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/50/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108; 30 × 40 in $148
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258; 30 × 40 in $338
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148; 24 × 36 in $178; 30 × 40 in $228
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5; 30 × 40 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-annunciation-aic-16327).