Terranuova Madonna (c.1505) by Raphael

Terranuova Madonna - Raphael - c.1505

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Artwork Information

TitleTerranuova Madonna
ArtistRaphael
Datec.1505
Mediumoil,board
Art MovementHigh Renaissance
Current LocationStaatliche Museen zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, Germany

About Terranuova Madonna

The artwork, known as the “Terranuova Madonna,” is a creation by the renowned High Renaissance artist Raphael, dating approximately from the year 1505. This religious painting, executed in oil on board, is a testament to Raphael’s mastery during a period marked by an extraordinary flourishing of the arts. It is part of the collection housed at the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, Germany, under the auspices of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

In the artwork, the Virgin Mary is depicted seated in a serene, contemplative state, holding the Christ Child on her lap. Her gaze is modestly cast downward, exuding a sense of humility and maternal affection. The child Jesus is shown resting securely against His mother, with His bare body rendered with a naturalistic softness that was characteristic of the period’s attention to human anatomy. Jesus is shown reaching out, as if to grasp something, a gesture that enhances His human likeness and approachability.

Flanking the central figures of Mary and Jesus are two cherubic figures, most likely representing angels. The angel at the left is holding up a cross to Jesus, symbolizing His future crucifixion, while on the right, another angel watches the scene intently, further reinforcing the religious narrative of the painting.

In the background, a meticulously painted landscape unfolds, filled with lush greenery, rolling hills, and distant structures. This backdrop provides a window into the world of the Italian countryside, bringing with it a sense of harmony and calm that complements the main subjects in the foreground.

The entirety of the composition is marked by a circular format, known as a tondo, a style popular in Renaissance art for its graceful integration of figures within a unifying geometric form. The use of chiaroscuro, the interplay between light and shadow, gives depth to the figures and brings out the drapery’s rich textures, particularly noted in Mary’s garments.

Overall, the “Terranuova Madonna” epitomizes the aesthetic ideals of the High Renaissance: clarity of composition, serene figures imbued with grace, and a balanced integration of landscape and human subjects, all working together to evoke a divine and tranquil atmosphere.

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