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 A WORK COPYING RAPHAEL (URBINO 1483-ROME 1520)

Study for a Virgin and Child, with handwritten notes

c.1860-76

Carbon print | 16.7 x 9.0 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 850864

A photograph of a sheet belonging to the Codice Resta, now in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan. The drawing corresponds in composition with 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). Ruland (1876) attributed the Ambrosiana drawing to Raphael. It is thought that it may have been copied from an original sketch by Raphael for the painting.

Showing a pen and ink sketch for a Madonna and Child composition with the Virgin seating on the ground (top), followed by handwritten text.
  • Creator(s)

    After a work copying Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520) (artist)

  • 16.7 x 9.0 cm (sheet of paper)

  • Acquired for the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1860-76)

  • 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)

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