The Latin title is a quotation from the Vulgate text of the first chapter of the Gospel of Saint Luke, describing the Annunciation,[1] where Mary accepts the message brought to her by the Angel Gabriel that she would give birth to a child (Jesus) by God.

Lilies are traditionally the symbol of Mary in Italian Renaissance art, but they are also considered funereal flowers, indicative of Christ’s death.

As with her previous year's modelling, her brother altered her hair colour: in this instance, he made it auburn to continue the red palette.

Also controversial were Gabriel's lack of wings (the flames at his feet suggest a Classical influence) and his obvious nakedness, glimpsed through the side of his robe.

The painting was on display at the National Gallery of Australia from December 2018 to April 2019 as part of the ‘Love & Desire: Pre-Raphaelite Masterpieces from the Tate’ exhibition.