XV 



THE LILY OF THE ANGEL GABRIEL 



In the majority of the Annunciations which were 

 painted during the fourteenth and fifteenth 

 centuries the archangel Gabriel carries a hly. 

 In the earhest representations of the subject he 

 has simply a herald's wand, which in later 

 Byzantine art usually terminated in a fleur-de- 

 lys, the ancient symbol of royalty, or in a more 

 or less elaborate cross. More rarely he carries 

 a scroll on which are inscribed the words of his 

 message. 



In the early Sienese school he still holds the 

 herald's wand,' or brings to the Virgin a branch 

 of olive,* the symbol of peace and goodwill. 

 Once at least he holds a branch of laurel,^ the 

 meed of those who excel, and sometimes the 

 palm '' of victory over sin. 



' Duccio di Buoninsegna, National Gallery. 



* Giovanni di Paolo, Vatican. 



* Andrea Vanni, Collection Saracini, Siena. 



* Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Belle Arti, Siena. 

 M 177 



