The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is putting a timely and powerful painting on display.

The museum in Richmond recently acquired "The Visitation" by 17th-century Baroque master Mattia Preti, which depicts the first episode in the life of Christ recorded by Luke.

According to the museum, the painting depicts the meeting of the Virgin Mary with her older cousin Elizabeth following the annunciation by the angel Gabriel. Elizabeth, who was soon to give birth to John the Baptist, recognizes that Mary has been chosen as the mother of the son of God and greets her with a blessing.