 A sense of movement is conveyed throughout . The trailing edges of Gabriel 's garment fall outside the pictorial space , indicating his arrival . The Virgin 's " serpentine " pose , with attendant angels supporting her , adds to the sense of flow . Memling 's use of color achieves a startling effect . The traditional rays of light are replaced with light color indicators ; the white clothes rendered in " icy " blue , the angel to the right in yellow patches seems " bleached by light " , the left @-@ hand angel appears to be steeped in shadow , dressed in clothes of lavender and bearing deep green wings . The effect is iridescent , according to Blum , who writes , " this shimmering surface gives [ the figures ] an unearthly quality , separating them from the more believable world of the bedchamber . " The effect deviates from the pure naturalism and realism which typifies Early Netherlandish art , causing a " startling " juxtaposition , an effect that is " unsteadying " and contradictory . 
