Sistine Madonna

Give the index card for the Sistine Madonna

The Sistine Madonna, Raphael, 1512-14, 265 × 196 cm, oil on canvas, Gemaeldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden

Give the elements for a thumbnail sketch

• At the top, two green curtains on a railing frame the piece

• Madonna stands in the center, holding Jesus

• She wears a head covering and pink and blue robes

• Holy light emanates from her

• Behind her, a host of ghostly, cloud-like putti faces can be seen

• Jesus is partially enfolded into her robes

• Floor is made of clouds

• Below her two saints

• On her left is St Sixtus, a cope (a ceremonial overcoat)

• His papal mitre rests on a wooden strip that goes across the foreground

• He looks up at her, and seems to point at the viewer

• On her right is St Barbara, dressed in contemporary clothing

• She wears multicoloured robes and a diadem

• Her gaze is downcast, and she looks away from the Virgin and Child

• Her hands are clasped in front of her

• Behind her, a glimpse of the tower in which she was imprisoned can be seen

• At the base of the image, two bored looking putti can be seen

• Both are slouching and looking upwards

• Have jewel toned wings

Who commissioned this piece? How can their wishes be seen in the image?

• Pope Julius II commissioned an altarpiece for the Benedictine monastery of San Sisto in Piacenza

• He was Raphael’s most important patron, and brought him to Rome to work in the Vatican

• The commission specified that both St Sixtus and St Barbara should be included

What was the patron’s link to one of the saints in the image?

Pope Sixtus IV was Julius’ uncle

What was the location’s link to the patron?

The monastery had long been associated with the della Rovere family

Give a brief quote by Vasari on the Sistine Madonna

“an extremely rare and unique [extraordinary] work”

Give a quote by Hugo Chapman on the depiction of the Madonna and Child

They “appear to be as weightless as the clouds on which they stand while at the same time they occupy a strong sense of corporeality.”

What is the effect created by the curtain?

Trompe l’oeil

What hallmark of the Renaissance does this painting demonstrate?

Though it retains some Byzantine structures, the image is more relaxed

What shape does the composition take?

The painting has a relaxed pyramidal composition

What axis does the painting have, and what effect does this create?

• Vertical axis

• Creates compositional symmetry

How does the painting create an illusion of naturalistic movement?

All of the figures are twisted in naturalistic contrapposto

How can the influence of humanism be seen in the depiction of the figures?

• It was very important for Renaissance artists to show Mary and Jesus as divine yet human

• They are posed naturalistically

• St Barbara wears contemporary clothes

What is the interaction between St Sixtus and Mary?

• He seeks to interact with her, pointing out of the image towards the viewer

• She gazes out at the viewer

What effect does the use of chiaroscuro have?

• Creates realistic skin tone

• Gives the figure weight and depth

Are the colours of Mary’s robes conventional?

Yes

What does St Barbara appear to be doing? How does the viewer interact with the image?

• She appears to be checking on the viewer

• The viewer’s gaze returns Mary’s

What class is St Barbara’s clothing of?

An upper middle class Renaissance woman

How do the trompe l’oeil curtains interact with their location? What is their overall effect?

• The connect the image to their location

• Their imperfection lends them realism and playfulness

What could the curtains be a reference to?

• The curtains of Solomon in the Song of Solomon

• The fact that the image would be covered during Lent

Is the light harsh or gentle?

• It is gentle and diffused

What is Barbara the patron saint of?

San Sisto

What facial expressions do the Putti have?

• Watchful

• Bored

• Intrigued

What function do the putti have within the image?

• Direct the viewer’s gaze

• Have a universal appeal, as they appeal to the more “lowbrow”

• Invites the viewer not to be overawed by the scene