Madonna of the Goldfinch
by Raphael, 1506
Artwork Details
Details
- Year
- 1506
- Medium
- Oil on panel
- Size
- 107 cm × 77 cm (42.1 × 30.3 in)
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Raphael painted the Madonna of the Goldfinch in 1506 as a wedding gift for his friend Lorenzo Nasi. The Virgin Mary watches as the infant John the Baptist offers a goldfinch to the Christ child. The bird symbolizes Christ's future Passion, as legend held that goldfinches got their red markings from pulling thorns from Christ's crown.
A 1547 earthquake destroyed the Nasi house, shattering this panel into 17 pieces. It was painstakingly reassembled, though the damage remained visible for centuries. Recent restoration has recovered much of Raphael's original luminous color and soft modeling.
The pyramidal composition shows Raphael's study of Leonardo, while the Tuscan landscape behind the figures recalls his Umbrian training. The Uffizi displays this as one of Raphael's finest Florentine Madonnas.
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About Madonna of the Goldfinch
The Passion of Christ. Legend said goldfinches got red faces from Christ's blood while pulling thorns from his crown Raphael created it as part of the Italian artistic tradition.
Yes, an earthquake in 1547 shattered it into 17 pieces. It was reassembled and recently restored This work dates to 1506.
At the Uffizi Gallery. Raphael painted it during his Florentine years, located in Florence, Italy The oil on panel work is part of their permanent collection.
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