Raphael Sanzio, Madonna of the Chair (panel, option 1)

Description

According to the tradition that has spread among the people, Raphael probably created this work during a trip to Velletri, where he saw a peasant woman intent on cradling her son; from this moment of daily life, the painter took inspiration for the position of two of the three figures in the painting.  Raphael's Madonna of the Chair therefore  interprets the motherhood of the Virgin in an intimate and domestic key, an interpretation capable of arousing  an intense emotional reaction in the faithful. In the painting, the Madonna lifts one of her two legs, covered by a blue cloth, sliding almost forward, so as to create a circular rhythm that seems to suggest the rocking of rocking. She bows her head towards her son, touching the two heads, and creating a situation of intimate family sweetness even if the Virgin's gaze is turned to the faithful. Warm tones prevail in the painting, among which some parts of cold color stand out.