The Visitation
The theme illustrates the episode mentioned in the Gospel (cf. Luke 1:39-56). when, after the Annunciation, the Virgin Mary pays a visit to St. Elizabeth.
There are two variants of this iconographic theme: the warm embrace of the two characters and the more temperate meeting when they are shaking hands, sometimes St. Elizabeth kneeling in front of the Virgin Mary. The first variant is more frequently used by the Orthodox Church, while the second by the Roman-Catholic Church, but there are exceptions. Usually, the event takes place near an architectural structure, representing Zechariah and Elizabeth's house. However, in most of the cases the Virgin Mary and St. Elizabeth are not placed in an interior scene but outside the house, close to the entrance door, in order to emphasize the moment of the Virgin's arrival. The two saints are shown standing, clad in a tunic and mantle, their heads covered and surrounded by a halo. Chromatically, only the Virgin's vestments are obeying the canon: a blue tunic and a red or purple red cloak.
The theme illustrates the episode mentioned in the Gospel (cf. Luke 1:39-56). when, after the Annunciation, the Virgin Mary pays a visit to St. Elizabeth.
There are two variants of this iconographic theme: the warm embrace of the two characters and the more temperate meeting when they are shaking hands, sometimes St. Elizabeth kneeling in front of the Virgin Mary. The first variant is more frequently used by the Orthodox Church, while the second by the Roman-Catholic Church, but there are exceptions. Usually, the event takes place near an architectural structure, representing Zechariah and Elizabeth's house. However, in most of the cases the Virgin Mary and St. Elizabeth are not placed in an interior scene but outside the house, close to the entrance door, in order to emphasize the moment of the Virgin's arrival. The two saints are shown standing, clad in a tunic and mantle, their heads covered and surrounded by a halo. Chromatically, only the Virgin's vestments are obeying the canon: a blue tunic and a red or purple red cloak.
