The Salutation

St. Luke’s Gospel tells us how the angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary and told her she was to be the Mother of God. He also told her that her kinswoman, Elizabeth, had conceived a son in her old age and was six months pregnant, “her who was called barren” (Her son was John the Baptist).

Mary thus went with haste to visit Elizabeth, to help her with the approaching birth. As she entered the house, Elizabeth felt the baby inside her leap for joy and she realised that Mary was bearing the Son of God. Elizabeth greeted her saying “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb”. Mary replied with the words we now recognise as the Magnificat, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”.

In the painting Mary is seen in her traditional blue garments and Elizabeth is bending in homage and greeting. Lilies representing purity grow behind them.