The head of the Virgin from The Visitation

A print depicting the head of the Virgin Mary from 'The Visitation', a painting now in the Prado Museum, Madrid (inv.no. 300).  Signed by the printmaker with publication details. Lettered with the title and the attribution of the painting to Raphael. See RCIN 850320.a for a photograph of the painting.

'The Visitation' was commissioned by Giovanni Branconio dell'Aquila probably from Raphael. Giovanni was a papal advisor and goldsmith whose palace (now destroyed) was designed by Raphael c.1520 (see RCINs 853137, 853138, 853139 for prints depicting the palace). Giovanni then donated 'The Visitation' to St Silvestro in L'Aquila. This painting was traditionally attributed to Raphael but scholars now believe it to be by his workshop and the names of Giulio Romano and Giovanni Francesco Penni have been suggested. Whereas scholars agree on ascribing the execution of the painting to the workshop, the involvement of Raphael in its original design is a matter of dispute (see Bibliographic References).

The subject is based on a passage of the Gospel of Luke (1:39 ff) and, in this instance, it is set outside rather than in the house of Zacharias. The scene is completed by an open landscape with the depiction of the Baptism of Christ and the apparition of God the Father in the left background.