The Hail Mary or Angelical salutation is a traditional Catholic prayer addressing Mary, the mother of Jesus. The prayer is based on two biblical passages featured in the Gospel of Luke: the Angel Gabriel's visit to Mary and Mary's subsequent visit to Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. It is also called the Angelical Salutation, as the prayer is based on the Archangel Gabriel's words to Mary. The Hail Mary is a prayer of praise for and of petition to Mary, regarded as the Theotokos. Since the 16th century, the version of the prayer used in the Catholic Church closes with an appeal for her intercession. The prayer takes different forms in various traditions and has often been set to music.
The Annunciation by Fra Angelico, 1433–1434
The beginning of the verse in historiated letters in the book of hours Heures de Charles d'Angoulême
The Annunciation is, according to the Gospel of Luke, the announcement by the archangel Gabriel to Mary that she would conceive and bear a son through a virgin birth and become the mother of Jesus Christ, the Christian Messiah and Son of God, marking the Incarnation. Gabriel told Mary to name her son Jesus.
Annunciation (c. 1472–1475), Uffizi, is thought to be Leonardo da Vinci's earliest complete work
Annunciation by Armenian manuscript illuminator Toros Roslin, 13th century
The Annunciation by Murillo, 1655–1660, Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
The Annunciation, Russian icon, 14th century
