Exhibitions and records of works of art
Prince Albert recognised the importance of photography to record and document notable exhibitions and works of art
The blessing Christ Child
1858Albumen print? | RCIN 2864237
A photograph of a drawing by an artist from the circle of Perugino, formerly attributed to Raphael; part of the 'Libretto Veneziano', now in the Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice (f.45r).
The photograph shows the full-length Christ Child, seated, resting on His left arm and blessing with His right hand.
This drawing is part of the so-called "Libretto di Raffaello" or "Libretto Veneziano", 53 sheets that used to be mounted in a volume. After complicated negotiations, the sketchbook was bought by the Accademia in the 1820s, after the death of Giuseppe Bossi, who was its previous owner. A number of scholars debated the author of the drawings (with many names proposed, such as Pinturicchio, Antonio da Viterbo, Eusebio del Giorgio, Girolamo Genga) and their date. In 1984, the drawings were catalogued as by an artist contemporary to Raphael, whose juvenile works he copied in this sketchbook (see Bibliographic References).
A copy of this photograph (RCIN 851294) can be found in the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection, portfolio 13 (970572)
Creator(s)
After a work by the circle of Pietro Perugino (Città della Pieve c. 1450-Fontignano 1523) (artist)
After a work previously attributed to Raphael (1483-1520) (artist)
Attributed to Florence : Alinari (photographer)
- Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Subject(s)
- Religion & Theology
- Religions and faiths
- Christianity
- Life of Christ
- Infancy of Christ
- Christ Child
- Infancy of Christ
- Life of Christ
- Christianity
- Religions and faiths
Object type(s)
- visual works
- photographs
- Religion & Theology
Bibliographic reference(s)
Gallerie dell' Accademia di Venezia : catalogo dei disegni antichi. v. S. Ferino Pagden, Disegni umbri (1984); pp.119-20, no.43
