This very small panel (at the Museo del Prado, Madrid) is probably the most completely
Venetian of El Greco's paintings, and, almost certainly, was finished shortly
before leaving for Rome at the end of 1570. With its comparatively robust figures
and the perspective of its pavement sharply receding into the background, it provides
a good contrast with his later Spanish works. The Annunciation was one of the
themes most in harmony with his genius, inspiring some of his most splendid paintings.
A much larger version, often thought of as his finest interpretation of this subject
was carried out as part of the series for the Colegio de Doņa Maria, Madrid, and
appears to have been the central painting of the retable of the high altar.
