Skip to main content

After Raphael, 'The Madonna and Child', probably before 1600

Key facts
Full title The Madonna and Child
Artist After Raphael
Artist dates 1483 - 1520
Date made probably before 1600
Medium and support oil on wood
Dimensions 87 × 61.3 cm
Acquisition credit Wynn Ellis Bequest, 1876
Inventory number NG929
Location Not on display
Collection Main Collection
Previous owners
The Madonna and Child
After Raphael
/

This is a copy of Raphael’s Virgin and Child known as ‘The Bridgewater Madonna’. The original is on loan to the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh from the Duke of Sutherland’s collection.

The copy is similar in size and in most colours and follows Raphael’s style closely, making it difficult to attribute to a known artist. Its origin is uncertain but it possibly dates from the late sixteenth century. The copy is very precise, except for the gauzy drapery which covers Christ’s nudity. This is clearly a later addition, probably dating from the nineteenth century.

Raphael adapted Christ’s dynamic twisting pose from Michelangelo’s relief sculpture, the Taddei Tondo (Royal Academy of Arts, London), and Leonardo’s Madonna of the Yardwinder (one of two known versions is on loan to the National Galleries of Scotland). Although he had previously depicted Christ lying across his mother’s lap, Raphael had never before given the pose so much movement nor invested the scene with so much drama.

Download image
Download low-resolution image

Download a low-resolution copy of this image for personal use.

License this image

License and download a high-resolution image for reproductions up to A3 size from the National Gallery Picture Library.

License image
Download low-resolution image

This image is licensed for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons agreement.

Examples of non-commercial use are:

  • Research, private study, or for internal circulation within an educational organisation (such as a school, college or university)
  • Non-profit publications, personal websites, blogs, and social media

The image file is 800 pixels on the longest side.

As a charity, we depend upon the generosity of individuals to ensure the collection continues to engage and inspire. Help keep us free by making a donation today.

Download low-resolution image

You must agree to the Creative Commons terms and conditions to download this image.

Creative Commons Logo