Narthex

Giovanni Odazzi (1663–1731) The Annunciation, early 1700. Location unknown.

Giovanni Odazzi was an Italian artist from the Baroque period. He worked in Rome and created frescoes, altarpieces, and murals. Some of his notable works can be seen in the Basilica of Santi Apostoli and the Cathedral of San Bruno in Velletri.

Odazzi's art style is part of the Roman Baroque movement, which was popular in the 17th and early 18th centuries. This style is known for its dramatic, emotional, and richly detailed approach to religious themes. The Catholic Church played a big role in promoting this kind of art during the Counter-Reformation, a time when the Church used art to inspire faith and communicate its teachings.

Baroque art aimed to:

• Strengthen faith by showcasing the beauty and mystery of God.

• Reach everyone, including those who couldn’t read, through emotional and easy-to-understand images.

• Show the Church’s power with grand and awe-inspiring works.

Odazzi’s work often followed these goals. His paintings were full of emotion and visual drama, designed to bring people closer to God.

About The Annunciation

Odazzi painted many religious scenes, including The Annunciation, which shows the angel Gabriel telling Mary she would become the mother of Jesus. While there isn’t much specific information about this painting, it likely includes Odazzi’s signature elements: dramatic light and shadow, rich colors, and a deep sense of movement and divine presence. This painting is a an example of how faith and creativity come together to inspire and uplift.

Similar paintings by him often feature detailed settings and expressive figures that bring the story to life. Influences like Gaulli (also known as Baciccio) can be seen in his work, suggesting a creation date for The Annunciation in the early 1700s. Versions of this scene attributed to Odazzi can be found in places like the Church of San Esteban in Segovia and the Palacio Real at La Granja.

The Annunciation at St. Anastasia Church, is a replica of Giovanni Odazzi’s painting, created by Georgeta Fondos, an accomplished artist based in South Florida. Fondos has a rich educational background in art, with a bachelor’s degree in drawing, painting, and textile arts from the Academy of Fine Arts of Moldova. Her talent and dedication earned her a Post-Graduate Study Scholarship in Greece. In 2008, she completed her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree at Florida Atlantic University.

Recreating The Annunciation was an intricate project that took three full months to complete. Fondos encountered challenges in finding a clear image of the original painting to guide her work, which made capturing the details of Odazzi's Baroque style even more demanding. The composition required precise attention to numerous complex elements, including faces, angels’ bodies, limbs, and layers of shading to create depth and movement. Despite these obstacles, Fondos successfully captured the beauty and spirit of Odazzi’s Baroque masterpiece that honors the spiritual richness of the original Baroque masterpiece.

The Visitation

In this painting, Bloch successfully captures the emotional bond between Mary and Elizabeth. The two women are at the center of the scene, and the light and details highlight the sacred connection they share. This artwork reflects Bloch’s gift for telling deep spiritual stories in a way that feels personal and relatable.

In Carl Bloch’s painting Mary's Visit to Elizabeth, a small lizard appears, which carries special meaning in Christian art. Lizards are often seen as symbols of watchfulness and resurrection because they can regrow their tails. This idea of renewal and new life ties beautifully to Christian themes of eternal life and hope.

In the context of the painting, which shows Mary visiting Elizabeth, the lizard adds deeper meaning. Elizabeth recognizes the divine nature of Mary’s unborn child, Jesus, and the scene highlights themes of faith, salvation, and God’s promise of redemption. Including the lizard in this tender moment adds a subtle reminder of Christ’s resurrection and the hope it brings to believers.

Bloch’s work continues to inspire people today, as it’s widely reproduced and displayed in churches, galleries, and museums around the world. His ability to combine realism, emotion, and faith in his art has made him one of the most beloved religious painters of all time.