This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

Holy Families & Madonna and Child

Holy Families & Madonna and Child

AFTER DOMENICO ALFANI (C. 1480-AFTER 1553)

Holy Family with Saints ['The Holy Family with the Pomegranate']

c.1853-76

Albumen print | 21.8 x 14.5 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 851228

A photograph of the so-called Holy Family with a Pomegranate, a painting by Domenico Alfani (1511) now in the Galleria Nazionale, Perugia. The painting is based on a drawing which Raphael executed and presented to Domenico Alfani currently in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lille (inv. no.458). A photograph of Raphael's drawing at RCIN 851226.

The photograph shows the full-length seated Virgin, supporting the naked Christ Child who reaches for a pomegranate presented to Him by St Joseph; St Joachim is behind the Holy Family at right, and St Anne stands at left, with the Infant Baptist in the left foreground and looking at the beholder; set against a landscape background, with cherubs holding the dedication in the upper portion and surmounted by the Dove of the Holy Spirit.
  • Creator(s)

    After Domenico Alfani (c. 1480-after 1553) (artist)

    Subject(s)

    Saint Joseph
    Joachim
    Saint Anne
    Blessed Virgin Mary
  • 21.8 x 14.5 cm (sheet of paper)

  • Acquired for the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)

  • Subject(s)
    • Religion & Theology
      • Religions and faiths
        • Christianity
          • Devotional Images of Christ
            • Virgin & Child
              • Virgin & Child with Saints
                • Virgin & Child with Saints-Holy Family
          • Life of Christ
            • Infancy of Christ
              • Christ Child
    • Natural Sciences & Mathematics
      • Biological sciences
        • Zoology
          • Animals
            • Mythical creatures
              • Cherubs
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    Raphael et l'art francais 1983-84 : Hommage a Raphael. Raphael et l'art francais (Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, Paris, 15 novembre 1983-13 fevrier 1984) pp.223-4, under no.54, fig.75

    Other number(s)

    Ruland p.93 C.XXIX.3