The Sistine Madonna, Raphael

date?

1513

patron?

Julius II

Where was it originally commissioned for?

The high altar of the newly rebuilt church of Saint Sixtus, Piacenza

artist?

Raphael

dimensions?

2\.6 x 1.9m

Material?

Oil on canvas

why had Raphael been summoned to Rome?

• 1508: summoned due to word spreading of his ability.

• Also assisted by connections with Bramante and his relatives at the court of Urbino.

who was Raphael continuously employed by?

Julius II, and following his death continuously from 1513 by Leo X.

what lessons did Raphael learn in Florence?

• Composition

• Light

• The rendering of anatomy by looking at the work of Donatello and Michelangelo.

what other style of painting was he also familiar with?

• Venetian painting

• Admired Titian’s use of colour and light.

Which artists did he train with from Umbria?

Firstly, Perugino and then Pinturicchio, who he eventually surpassed.

where can the influence of Humanism be seen?

• Idealisation of forms

• Classical drapery

• Geometry - underpins the composition.

What does the painting represent?

• A vision of Mary holding Christ by Sixtus II

• Sixtus II = early Pope who had been persecuted by the Romans when Christianity was still illegal.

What does the presence of saint Barbara celebrate?

The church militant and triumphant.

What is represented due to the focus on mass and its function as an altarpiece?

• Promises salvation

• The physical presence of Christ

• Use of light & mysterious mood - highlights the Christian mystery of the incarnation.

Where was the original located of the altarpiece?

Saint Sisto in Piacenza in northern italy

what else did saint Sisto house?

The relics of Saint Barbara and Saint Sixtus

As well as religion, what force was the church and what did it aim to expand?

• Was a political force

• Aimed to expand its territory which came under the title of the Papal States.

Where did the Papacy extend its power?

• Papacy extended power northwards.

• The altarpiece was a gift of gratitude to Piacenza for his gain.

What does the painting celebrate historically?

• Historical strength of the Papacy with Sixtus II bearing the face of Julius II.

• The 2 are connected via Julius’ uncle Sixtus IV.

How was Julius II depicted?

With a long beard = symbol of his penance for the Papal territory that had been lost to the French.

Where is the wealth of the Papacy seen?

• In the expensive Papal tiara in the left-hand corner - decorated with rubies.

• Julius II/Sixtus II wears golden silk and brocade regalia.

Source: What did the National Gallery Catalogue suggest about the patronage?

“Raphael’s artistic achievements under his first Papal patron” - National Gallery Catalogue

What was Raphael highly fascinated by?

• Complex lighting

• He rose to the challenge of depicting nocturnal light

• Inspired by Venetian techniques of oil painting.

What painting was he aware of and what painting inspired him?

• He was aware of the ‘Dream of Constantine’ by Piero della Francesca

• He was also inspired by Marcantonio Raimondi’s ‘Nocturne with Nudes’ – The Morbetto.

Source: What did Jones & Penny suggest about this altarpiece, compared to Raphael’s earlier works?

“Vision of immediacy unparalleled in earlier altarpieces” - Jones & Penny

Composition?

• Madonna in centre - stands upright

• St Sixtus (left) looks up - experiences a vision of her + reaches out to viewer. Other hand on his heart.

• St Barbara = genuflect pose, twists towards viewer.

• Putti in lower register - rest on ledge & mediate with real world.

Significance of curtains?

Trompe loeil of curtains - emphasises visionary quality of the scene.

Colour?

• Rich & warm - yellows & golds emphasises

• Colour progresses - cooler to warm from Barbara to St Sixtus.

• Intensity of colour = Venetian painting.

Space?

• Madonna slightly back from foreground = conveys decorum.

• Mysterious, ethereal space of Heaven - created by swirling clouds.

What does St Sixtus act as?

Interlocutor - reaches out to earthly realm.

Light & tone?

• Lit from back & diagonal.

• Madonna illuminated by soft glow

• White light of heaven - emphasises vision taking place.

What is the symbolism related to Madonna illuminated by soft glow?

Links to Ecclesiasticus & Apocalypse

Form?

• Sculptural & idealised

• Soft, yet linear

• Tonal modelling & gradation of tone - drapery employed - mass of figures.

Line?

• Geometry underpins composition - pyramidal composition, arc of figures & circles.

• Spiralling energy - dynamic line of Barbara’s genuflect.

Scale?

• Large-scale altarpiece

• Raphael’s largest Madonna - height emphasised by upright position.

• Putti & tiara act as foil - exaggerate magnificence.

Texture, pattern & ornament?

• Smooth finish = idealised & harmonious.

• Free from surface texture & embellishment.

• No decoration, apart from lavish papal tiara.

What 2 key factors does Mary symbolise?

1. Wisdom of the church

2. Second coming of Christ