The Virgin and Child

An engraving reputed to be a retouched late state of a plate attributed to Marcantonio Raimondi (Bartsch XIV, p.60, no.53), described as a repetition with slight alterations of an engraving also by Raimondi (RCIN 850934) probably after a drawing by Raphael related to his so-called ‘Madonna di Foligno’ (c.1512) now in the Pinacoteca Vaticana, Vatican City (inv. no.329). Lettered in the lower right corner: R. a. Annotated in pencil in the lower left corner. The plate was later retouched by Agostino Carracci who – according to Bartsch - added a head of a cherub at either side. However, this state - from which the name of Raphael (usually placed at lower centre in second state impressions) has been scratched off - is not described in Bartsch. Showing the Virgin sitting on clouds, holding the Child under His armpits, who looks down while grasping her mantle with both hands.