Madonna was painted by Raphael in 1511.

Where can I see Madonna?

Madonna is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is Madonna?

Madonna is associated with High Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Madonna?

Museum-quality prints of Madonna are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Madonna

Raphael , 1511

Madonna is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Raphael. It dates from 1511 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The religious genre and focus on Mary and Christ Child reflect the work’s intended spiritual significance, serving as an object of veneration and contemplation.

The work depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, a central subject in Christian iconography known as the Madonna and Child. In this representation, Mary is shown with the infant Jesus, emphasizing maternal tenderness and divine maternity. The symmetrical composition and serene expressions align with traditional depictions of this theme, reinforcing its devotional purpose.

The religious genre and focus on Mary and Christ Child reflect the work’s intended spiritual significance, serving as an object of veneration and contemplation.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 72 by 72 cm. The handling is characterized by Raphaelesque clarity and balanced composition, with the Virgin and Child arranged in a gentle, pyramidal grouping. Stylistic qualities include softly modeled forms, delicate chiaroscuro, and a restrained palette that emphasizes luminous flesh tones against a muted background. The Virgin’s drapery falls in rhythmic folds, while the Christ Child’s gesture toward his mother introduces a tender, humanizing note. The overall treatment reflects Raphael’s mature High Renaissance idiom, marked by idealized naturalism and harmonious spatial arrangement.

History & Provenance

Raphael's oil painting titled Madonna is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, located in Antwerp. The work, which depicts the Madonna and Child, is executed on canvas and measures 72 cm in both height and width. The provided sources do not contain specific inventory or accession numbers for this piece, nor do they list any details regarding its exhibition history.

Overview

Created around 1511, this oil painting by Raphael portrays a tender scene of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Christ. A second child, likely the young Saint John the Baptist, stands behind them, his hands clasped in a gesture of reverence. The composition is modest in scale and is part of the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp.