The Madonna of the Goldfinch by Raphael Sanzio, 1505-1506
|
Raphael began his series of Madonnas in the open air with the plastically constructed group of the Madonna del Cardellino, or "The Madonna of the Goldfinch", sometimes also called "The Madonna in the Meadow". Those who believe they can get some understanding of art from "influences" may remark that, in this picture, Michaelangelo's Bruges Madonna was actually the model for the quietness of the contour and for the Child, who with one little foot still keeps close to his mother; but because this very character of inward plastic compression made the group too narrow to fill up the picture space, a beautiful Gothic motive was introduced, as in Schongauer: the delicate trees provide, in the distance, an accompanying tracery to the outline.
In the final result of "The Madonna of the Goldfinch", nothing remains of the prototypes but their life-creating spirit — from Michaelangelo the significant, self-contained character, from Leonardo the gaze of the three figures one on another and, with it, their mutual attachment in a common love.
All is endowed by Raphael, as with something that is his very own, with the poetic feeling for space, around the group and within it; and exactly in the centre of the whole he gives play once again in no ordinary manner to his sensibility for space — in this little hand of the Holy Child shyly asking if it may stroke the cowering little bird and yet, arched protectingly above the helpless creature — a sensuous expression of all that is supersensuous.
The whole composition of "The Madonna of the Goldfinch" is keyed, in all its parts, great and small alike, to this domed line — the contour of the Madonna's head, the line of her shoulders, her sitting posture. It was the age of imposing vaulting schemes. In the distant plain, amid the buildings of a town, a church stands out, like that of the Consolazione at Todi, and the decisive line is repeated again to the left by the arch of the bridge.
"The Madonna of the Goldfinch" has unfortunately been made to undergo the concealment of its expressive colour under coatings of varnish. It is presently undergoing restoration at the Uffizi Museum in Florence.
Other paintings/pictures tagged "Raphael Madonnas"
"Madonna with the Blue Diadem" (1510-1511) The Louvre, Paris |
"Sistine Madonna" (1513-1514) Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden |
"The Alba Madonna" (1511) National Gallery of Art, Washington |
"Madonna della Seggiola framed" (1514) Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence |
Popular Works by Raphael Sanzio
The Madonna of the Goldfinch (1505-1506) • Madonna with the Blue Diadem (1510-1511) • The Alba Madonna (1511) • Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints (1504-1505) • Solly Madonna (c. 1502) • The Granduca Madonna (1504) • Madonna with the Fish (1512-1514) • Madonna of Belvedere (1506) • Madonna and Child (c. 1503) • Spozalizio (1504) • Madonna with the Book (1504) • Madonna della Seggiola (1514) • Madonna dellImpannata (1513-1514) • The Madonna of Foligno (1511-1512) • Madonna of Loreto (1509-1510) • Diotalevi Madonna (c. 1503) • The Canigiani Madonna (1507) • Madonna del Baldacchino (1507-08) • Madonna della Tenda (1514)
Raphael Religious Paintings
Crucifixion (1502-1503) • The Holy Family (1518) • The Annunciation (1502-1503) • St Michael and the Satan (1518) • St George Fighting the Dragon (1505) • St Cecilia (1514) • St Michael and the Dragon (c. 1505) • St George and the Dragon (1505-1506) • The Vision of Ezekiel (1518) • The Triumph of Galatea (1512) • The Adoration of the Magi (1502-1503) • Gregory IX Approving the Decretals (1511) • The Judgment of Solomon (1518-1519)
Raphael Metaphysical Paintings
The Three Graces (1504-1505) • Poetry (1509-1511) • Philosophy (1509-1511) • The Knight's Dream (c. 1504) • Justice (1509-1511) • Theology (1509-1511)
Raphael Stanza di Eliodoro
The Mass at Bolsena (1512) • The Liberation of St Peter (1512) • The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple (c. 1512) • The Meeting of Leo The Great and Attila (1514)
Raphael Cartoons
St Paul Preaching in Athens (1515) • The Handing-over the Keys (1515) • The Miraculous Draught of Fishes (1515) • The Death of Ananias (1515) • Healing of the Lame Man (1515) • St Paul before the Proconsul (1515)
Raphael Stanza dell'incendio del Borgo
The Fire in the Borgo (1514) • The Coronation of Charlemagne (1514) • The Battle of Ostia (1514)
Raphael Sala di Costantino
The Battle at Pons Milvius (1520-1524) • The Baptism of Constantine (1520-1524) • Vision of the Cross (1520-1524)