Madonna del Granduca
Original title: Madonna del Granduca, the standing Virgin holding the Christ child
kurzbeschreibung
Raphael Morghen's 1823 engraving presents the Madonna and Child as a standing, mirror-reversed figure. This is a fourth-state impression from a set of four, based on Raphael's celebrated painting.
Description
A crown hovers above the Madonna's head as she holds the Child in her arms. The half-length figure wears a veil and a gown with a broad belt; the background remains dark and plain. Latin inscriptions and a coat of arms line the lower edge. The layout feels symmetrical, with even light and no strong shadows, monochrome in the manner of a steel engraving.
Context
The Italian engraver Raphael Morghen was known for his reproductions after Raphael. The Madonna del Granduca, made around 1505, hangs in the Uffizi in Florence. Morghen produced this print in 1823, well over 300 years after the original, as part of a series of reproductions of famous artworks. In the 19th century the sheet circulated widely and helped spread the popularity of Raphael's image.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and the calm pose of the figures give the print balance and harmony. Even light and the dark, reduced surroundings draw the eye to the delicate facial features and the intimate bond between mother and child. A solemn, devotional mood pervades the view, typical of classicist interpretations of the Renaissance.
Technique
The engraving is executed in line. Fine lines and hatching create a nuanced range of tone, even though the image remains monochrome. The fourth state may contain reworkings or corrections that are crucial to the print quality. The plate measures 33.4 × 22.1 cm, while the sheet at 49 × 37.6 cm is larger and provides space for the inscriptions.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)