Artwork
Esterhazy Madonna
Esterhazy Madonna is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Raphael. It dates from 1508 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest.
About this work
Overview
The Esterhazy Madonna is a painting by Raphael, created around 1508. It is held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest, Hungary.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene woman in a red and blue robe seated on a rock with two children. The scene is set against a backdrop of a small town by a river, with hills and trees in the distance, evoking a sense of tranquility.
Technique & Style
Despite being described as an oil-on-canvas painting, its original description as 'tempera' suggests a possible mixed technique or misattribution. The work showcases Raphael's skill in rendering realistic flesh tones and vivid colors against a subdued background.
History & Provenance
The painting was stolen in 1983 along with other significant works. It was recovered by the Italian Carabinieri in an abandoned Greek convent near Aigio.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Raphael was born Raffaello Sanzio in Urbino on April 6, 1483, the son of Giovanni Santi, a painter and poet attached to the ducal court.
