Blog Post #3: Italian and Northern Renaissance Blog Assignment

The Sistine Madonna

Sistine Madonna, Raphael 1513-1514, oil on canvas

        When looking for Renaissance works, the Sistine Madonna by Raphael was one that stuck out to me. From the despair in the eyes of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, to the angst of St. Sixtus as he directs the two toward the front of the stage the painting takes place upon, there's an immense amount of emotion in what appears to be such a quiet image. 

        The Sistine Madonna was commissioned in 1513 by Pope Julius and completed between 1513 and 1514 by Raphael. The painting features the Madonna and baby Jesus, center, with St. Sixtus on the left and St. Barbara on the right. Two cherubs adorn the bottom of the painting, added near the painting's completion and likely inspired by children that Raphael had seen in the street. St. Barbara, the only individual in the painting with a content disposition, looks down upon the cherubs. The individuals in the painting stand upon a bed of clouds with a backdrop of more clouds that begin to resemble faces. The curtains near the upper corners of the painting suggest the painting takes place on a stage, with the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus looking outward toward the audience.

        The dejection on the faces of the Madonna and baby Jesus are what propel the emotional outcry of the painting, and an aspect that leaves many questioning why they were painted in such a fashion. According to Italian Renaissance Art.com, however, this becomes much clearer when the original location of the painting is considered. Intended to be displayed behind a choir screen, with a crucifix on the opposite side, St. Sixtus is actually pointing the Madonna to the future agonizing sacrifice of her newborn son, while the Christ Child on in fear and confusion for what's to come.

        The Sistine Madonna is clearly influenced by the Reinvention of Rome by the Catholic Church. Following the curtails of the reinvention, a very 'Catholic' time for Italy, the painting was commissioned for the church of San Sisto in Piacenza following its addition to the Papal States. The painting is heavily influenced by the church in both depiction and tone. The image portrays the grim future to come for the Virgin Mary and her child, a story many of us are familiar with. An excellent use of contrasting light puts an additional emphasis on the Madonna while also making the clouds and backdrop appear authentic and ethereal, rather than just stage decoration. Raphael's style was influenced by the work of Leonardo Da Vinci.

        I personally love the Sistine Madonna and think the image is beautiful to look at, while also having deep roots within the story of Christ and the Catholic Church. While I'm not religious, I grew up Catholic and still think the Catholic faith is fascinating. Every aspect of the Sistine Madonna is perfect. Desperation and fear seem to crawl out of the painting toward the viewer, all while remining calm and elegant. The cherubs on the bottom also add to the charm of the painting. They've had their own limelight as well, making an appearance in the 1995 US stamp 'Love Series.'

    

    Thank you for reading!

    

Works Cited

Google. (n.d.). The Sistine Madonna - Raphael - Google Arts & Culture. Google. Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-sistine-madonna/CgEiMJRg7ZS6DA?hl=en

Graham, D. H. (n.d.). Raphael, an introduction. Smarthistory. Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://smarthistory.org/raphael-introduction/

Sistine Madonna. Artble. (2017, July 19). Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://www.artble.com/artists/raphael/paintings/sistine_madonna

Sistine Madonna - by Raphael. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://www.raphaelpaintings.org/sistine-madonna.jsp

The Sistine Madonna. Italian Renaissance Art.com. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://www.italian-renaissance-art.com/Sistine-Madonna.html