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 RAPHAEL (URBINO 1483-ROME 1520)

Studies for a Virgin and Child

c.1853-76

Albumen print | 15.8 x 11.2 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 850845

A photograph of a drawing by Raphael (c.1509-11) formerly in the Musée Wicar, Lille, and now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lille (inv. no.436). The drawing has been connected by Ruland (1876) to Rapahel's so-called ‘Mackintosh Madonna’ (c.1509-11) now in the National Gallery, London (inv. no.NG 2069). It is now generally associated with another Virgin and Child painting by Raphael, the so-called ‘Aldobrandini Madonna’ (see RCIN 850880). Showing the seated figure of the Virgin holding the Christ Child in her lap (centre) and a study for the left hand of the Virgin in the act of breastfeeding (upper right).
  • Creator(s)

    After Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520) (artist)

  • 15.8 x 11.2 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
          • Life of Christ
            • Infancy of Christ
              • Christ Child
  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    p.200, no. 270 (Joannides 1983 : Joannides, P., 1983. The Drawings of Raphael, with a complete catalogue, Oxford)

    p. 190, no. 540 (Brejon de Lavergnée 1997 : Brejon de Lavergnée, B, 1997. Catalogue des dessins Italiens. Collections du Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, Paris)