The Christmas story of the Annunciation where archangel Gabriel appears to Mary to tell her that she's been chosen to be the mother of Jesus remains one of the most documented episodes in Christian art. Down the ages, painters and artists, including the great Leonardo da Vinci, have interpreted their imagination of this scene.

In this elite group is Simone Martini's 1333 altar painting aided by Lippo Memmi's stunning Gothic backdrop. Simple as it appears when compared with da Vinci's stylised version, it evocatively portrays Mary's awe when faced with the news.