Jakob Schlesinger, after Raphael, 'The Sistine Madonna', probably 1822
Full title | The Sistine Madonna |
---|---|
Artist | Jakob Schlesinger, after Raphael |
Artist dates | 1792 - 1855; 1483 - 1520 |
Date made | probably 1822 |
Medium and support | pencil on paper, mounted on canvas |
Dimensions | 257.8 × 203.2 cm |
Acquisition credit | Presented by Messrs P. & D. Colnaghi, Scott & Co, 1860 |
Inventory number | NG661 |
Location | Not on display |
Collection | Main Collection |
Previous owners |
Jakob Schlesinger (1792–1855) made this tracing in 1822 of the Sistine Madonna by the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael (1483–1520). Drawn in pencil, it is formed of 24 pieces of paper pasted together and mounted on a canvas the same size as the painting. Schlesinger was a painter and picture restorer who was active in Dresden from 1820 to 1823, before moving to Berlin.
The Sistine Madonna was commissioned in 1512 as an altarpiece for San Sisto in Piacenza. Flanked by Saint Sixtus and Saint Barbara, the Virgin Mary stands on clouds as she holds the infant Christ. At the bottom of the picture, two winged cherubs rest their heads upon their arms. One of the last Madonnas that Raphael painted – he died aged only 37 – it was described by the historian Vasari as ‘a truly rare and extraordinary work’. Now in the Gemäldegalerie, Dresden, it had a significant influence on German art.
Jakob Schlesinger made this tracing in 1822 of the Sistine Madonna by the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael. Drawn in pencil, the tracing is formed of 24 pieces of paper pasted together and mounted on a canvas the same size as the painting. Schlesinger was a painter and picture restorer who was active in Dresden from 1820 to 1823, before moving to Berlin.
In 1512 Raphael was commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint the Sistine Madonna as an altarpiece for the church of San Sisto in Piacenza. Flanked by Saint Sixtus and Saint Barbara, the Virgin Mary stands on clouds as she holds the infant Christ. At the bottom of the picture, two winged cherubs rest their heads upon their arms. Completed in 1513, this was one of the last Madonnas that Raphael painted – he died aged only 37 – and was described by the historian Vasari as ‘a truly rare and extraordinary work'.
Following its purchase for a record price in 1754 by Augustus III of Poland, the picture was relocated to Dresden, where it is now in the Gemäldegalerie. Judged by many at the time to be one of the world’s great paintings, it had a significant influence on German art, especially Romantic painting.
Download a low-resolution copy of this image for personal use.
License and download a high-resolution image for reproductions up to A3 size from the National Gallery Picture Library.
License imageThis image is licensed for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons agreement.
Examples of non-commercial use are:
- Research, private study, or for internal circulation within an educational organisation (such as a school, college or university)
- Non-profit publications, personal websites, blogs, and social media
The image file is 800 pixels on the longest side.
As a charity, we depend upon the generosity of individuals to ensure the collection continues to engage and inspire. Help keep us free by making a donation today.
You must agree to the Creative Commons terms and conditions to download this image.