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

JOSEPH MÉCOU (1771-1837)

The Virgin and Child with St Elizabeth and the Infant Baptist

c.1791-1827

Stipple with etching | 43.1 x 33.1 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 851049

A print reproducing (in reverse) the four principal figures from the so-called ‘Holy Family of Francis I’, a painting attributed to Raphael and his workshop (1518) now in the Musée du Louvre, Paris (inv. no.604). A photograph of the ‘Holy Family of Francis I’ can be found at RCIN 851028.

Showing the the full-length Virgin supporting the Christ Child stepping out of His cradle; with the crouched St Elizabeth supporting the Young John the Baptist who clasps his hands in adoration on the right; in a landscape.
  • Creator(s)

    Joseph Mécou (1771-1837) (engraver)

    After a work by the workshop of Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520) (artist)

    Tefsari et C.ie : Rue du Cloitre Notre-Dame n.4 (publisher)

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

  • 43.1 x 33.1 cm (sheet of paper)

    32.5 x 24.5 cm (image)

    42.9 x 31.2 cm (platemark)

  • LA SAINTE FAMILLE AU BERCEAU.

  • Added to 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
  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    pp. 170-177, no. 62 (Capellen 2005 : Capellen, JM, 2005. Raphael : the paintings. Volume 2, The Roman Religious Paintings ca.1508-1520 )