The Alba Madonna

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ABOUT -Started and completed in year 1510 -Another Oil on wood yet was later transferred onto canvas for preservation. -Comissioned by Poalo Giovanni who planned to send it to the church of the Olivetani in Nocera dei Pagani. -Painting belonged to the Spanish house of Alba, whose name it bears. -Orginally called “Madonna of Humility” -Considered the best of all Raphael’s Madonna and Child. -Seems to follow Raphael’s typical subject matter of the beautiful world of nature. CHARACTERS -Three characters in this piece are the Virgin Mary, Baby Jesus and St. John -St. John is depicted presenting Jesus with a crucifix shaped stick foreshadowing the death of Jesus years after. -He also gazes up toward Jesus instead of standing to his height in respect for his holiness -Although this hierarchy is only subtle because Mary’s arm reaches out to St. John to include him in the composition. -The Virgin Mary stares longingly at the crucifix shape with a concentrated expression as if in thought, her position is also rather dramatic. -Mary is once again wearing her traditional clothing of a red under garment and blue over cloak and skirt. -Baby Jesus’ expression is extremely dramatic and ambiguous as he either looks at this crucifix disapprovingly or perhaps like his mother in concentration. -The shading on the two children’s bodies excellently defines the shape of a baby especially visible in Jesus’ stubby legs. -From the way Raphael has painted St. John in comparison to Baby Jesus it is evident he is older than his cousin seated on his mother’s lap. -In this version of the Madonna and Child, Mary is not seated on any throne, instead she is seated on the floor suggesting she is one with nature, most probably the way Raphael saw the Madonna. -Mary’s dress is beautifully painted to drape around her and onto the floor perfecting the shadows and highlights. -The
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