The painting depicts a bedroom where an Annunciation takes place following an unusual scheme: the angel is on the right, holding a white lily, and has got in from a loggia which opens to a garden (the hortus conclusus).

His right arm is pointing at the Father God who has shown in a cloud and is blessing Mary from inside the loggia.

The number of carefully painted details show the influence of Northern European paintings: they include the baldachin bed, the small window with sealed glasses, the shelf with a small still life, the hatstand, the stool with an hourglass, the prie-dieu and a scared cat which is fleeing.

According to Italian art historian Giulio Carlo Argan: Titian's Virgin is a praying queen who nobly turns to receive the divine messenger in her palace.

Lotto's Virgin is a good girl; the message takes her by surprise while praying in her room; she cannot even turn her head; her gesture, almost a defensive one, is that of somebody who is struck at the back by a sudden call[1]