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

ELISABETTA SIRANI (1638-65)

The Virgin and Child with the Infant Baptist

c.1658-1665

Etching | 23.1 x 21.5 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 851110

A print reproducing (in reverse) a circular painting which, according to Ruland (1876), was then in the Royal Gallery, Dresden. Lettered with production details.

The composition is based on the so-called ‘Madonna della Rosa’, a painting now in the Museo del Prado, Madrid (inv. no.302) generally attributed to Raphael and his workshop (c.1517-18), but with various alterations and lacking the figure of St Joseph. For a photograph of the ‘Madonna della Rosa’, see RCIN 851103.

Showing the seated Virgin supporting the Christ Child with both hands, who stands on one foot on a cushion, with the Infant Baptist standing on the right and presenting the Child with an inscribed scroll; in an interior.
  • Creator(s)

    Elisabetta Sirani (1638-65) (etcher)

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

  • 23.1 x 21.5 cm (sheet of paper)

    20.5 x 21.2 cm (image)

  • 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
          • Life of Christ
            • Infancy of Christ
              • Christ Child
  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    pp. 178-182, no. 63 (Capellen 2005 : Capellen, JM, 2005. Raphael : the paintings. Volume 2, The Roman Religious Paintings ca.1508-1520 )