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 CESARE DA SESTO (MILAN 1477-MILAN 1523)

Studies of the Virgin and Child, and studies of the Holy children

c.1853-76

Albumen print | 15.1 x 22.0 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 850865

A photograph of a drawing by Cesare da Sesto (c.1510-15) now in the Royal Library, Windsor Castle (RCIN 912563), formerly attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. The sheet features several studies for a composition with the Virgin and Child with the Infant Baptist. The sketches show similarities in composition to Raphael’s so-called ‘Alba Madonna’, a painting now in the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC (inv. no.1937.1.24; see RCIN 850853.a for a photograph of the painting).
  • Creator(s)

    After Cesare da Sesto (Milan 1477-Milan 1523) (artist)

    View person page

    After a work previously attributed to Leonardo da Vinci (Vinci 1452-Amboise 1519) (artist)

  • 15.1 x 22.0 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)

    no. 308 (Pedretti : Pedretti, C., 1982-7. The Drawings and Miscellaneous Papers of Leonardo da Vinci in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen at Windsor Castle, London and New York)

    pp. 82-88, no. 50 (Capellen 2005 : Capellen, JM, 2005. Raphael : the paintings. Volume 2, The Roman Religious Paintings ca.1508-1520 )