"Virgin of Baldaquin" by Raphael
Raphael painted the "Virgin of Baldaquin" in 1505 - 1509 A.D. (Aston, 2003). In the center of the painting on the red throne is the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus. There is a green canopy over the throne, which also draws the attention of the viewer toward Mary and the infant Jesus. The other figures in the painting are: Saint Peter, Saint Bruno, Saint Jack, and Saint Augustine (Aston, 2003).The two saints on the right appear to be conversing together. There are two, clothed, youthful, female angels above; and there are two, unclothed, toddler-age, male angels below. Raphael used symmetry in the placement, number, gender, and age of the angels. In the background, Raphael painted two columns crowned with Corinthian capitals. The Corinthian capital is very ornate; it consists of a double row of acanthus leaves; and it was invented by the Greek sculptor Kallimachos during the second half of the 5th century B.C. ( Kleiner, Mamiya, & Tansey, 2001). As far as style goes, Raphael used clarity, beauty, and vivid color in this rendition of the Virgin Mary. Raphael also used perspective, and the figures look realistic and 3-dimensional.
References:
Aston, M. (2003). Panorama of the Renaissance. London: Thames & Hudson, Ltd.
Kleiner, F., Mamiya, C., & Tansey, R. (2001). Gardner's Art Through The Ages. Vol.II. N.Y.: Harcourt College Publishers.
Wirtz, Rolf C. (2000). Art and Architecture: Florence. Oldenburg: Konemann.
