Madonna and Child

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing by Raphael. The drawing shows a woman holding a child on her lap and to the right. The child faces towards the front with his shoulders twisted towards the right and his head looking down. The woman holds the child under his right shouder with her right hand, and the child's legs rest on her left thigh. The woman is seated with her knees facing forwards and to the left, and her feet are exposed from under her clothing. She is looking down and to the right - at the child - and is wearing a veil on her head. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 7 RAPHAEL (b. 1483; d. 1520) MADONNA AND CHILD British Museum, 1900-8-24-107 (from the Vaughan Collection). Black chalk. 40 x 27 cm. (15 3/4 x 10 5/8 in.) The Virgin sits with her legs turned slightly to the left, her body and head slightly to the right, holding the Infant Christ partly pressed against her side partly resting on her lap. Her position is almost identical with that of the Virgin in the picture known as the Madonna di Foligno; that of the Child, however, differs, and the drawing is supposed to be a first tentative sketch for the picture. Critics are not entirely of one mind as to its authenticity; but the touch and sentiment of the Virgin's head seem thoroughly Raphael's and not those of any imitator; and the suggestion of form and modelling in her shoulder and arm is very sensitive and full of beauty. In the way of treating the material this drawing is nearly allied to the last. [Refering to 1932.69/6] SIDNEY COLVIN."