Prince Albert used photography to document exhibitions and works of art
After Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520)
A study for the Three Graces c. 1857
Albumen print? | RCIN 2864406
After Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520)
A study for the Three Graces c. 1857
A photograph of a red chalk drawing by Raphael (c.1517-1518) now in the Royal Library, Windsor Castle (RCIN 912754). This is a study of the Three Graces for the Banquet of the Gods from the vault of the entrance loggia of the Farnesina, Agostino Chigi's villa in Rome, which was frescoed with mythological subjects by Raphael's workshop c.1518.
The fresco decoration in the Farnesina illustrates the classical fable of Cupid and Psyche, a story which was also frequently used to decorate Florentine wedding chests. Raphael's fresco scheme comprises two primary scenes in the vault (painted to resemble tapestries), accompanied by a series of episodes painted in the pendentives. The whole is encompassed within a fictive pergola, which gives the viewer the impression of looking up into the heavens. Only the upper part of the loggia is painted (the vault and its supporting pendentives and spandrels).
A copy of this photograph (RCIN 853988) can be found in the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection, portfolio 43 (970603)
The fresco decoration in the Farnesina illustrates the classical fable of Cupid and Psyche, a story which was also frequently used to decorate Florentine wedding chests. Raphael's fresco scheme comprises two primary scenes in the vault (painted to resemble tapestries), accompanied by a series of episodes painted in the pendentives. The whole is encompassed within a fictive pergola, which gives the viewer the impression of looking up into the heavens. Only the upper part of the loggia is painted (the vault and its supporting pendentives and spandrels).
A copy of this photograph (RCIN 853988) can be found in the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection, portfolio 43 (970603)
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Creator(s)
After Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520) (artist)
Attributed to Charles Thurston Thompson (1816-68) (photographer)
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Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
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Object type(s)
- visual works
- photographs
- visual works
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Bibliographic reference(s)
Clayton 1999 : Clayton, M. Raphael and his Circle. Drawings from Windsor Castle, London pp.121-123, n.31
P&W : Popham, A.E. & Wilde, J., 1949. The Italian Drawings of the XV and XVI Centuries in the Collection of His Majesty The King at Windsor Castle, London n. 804
Joannides 1983 : Joannides, P., 1983. The Drawings of Raphael, with a complete catalogue, Oxford p. 236 n. 408
Jones/Penny 1983 : Jones, R. and Penny, N. Raphael, 1983 pp.183-89
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The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.