Raphael was especially esteemed for his Madonna and Child compositions
Attributed to Roger Fenton (1819-69)
The Virgin and Child [‘The Small Cowper Madonna’] c.1853-76 or after
Albumen print | 13.7 x 10.1 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 850693
![The Virgin and Child [`The Small Cowper Madonna?]](https://albert.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/d/1/741567-1520337453.jpg?itok=Bk_g-FXS "The Virgin and Child [`The Small Cowper Madonna?]")
A photograph of Raphael's so-called Small Cowper Madonna (c.1505-06) that Ruland (1876) catalogued as being then in the collection of the Earl Cowper, Penshanger and now in the National Gallery, Washington DC (inv. no.1942.9.57).
This photograph is one of the two currently part of the Raphael Collection reproducing the Small Cowper Madonna: one was listed by Ruland in his catalogue of the collection, the other is likely to be a later addition (see RCIN 850692).
Showing the seated figure of the Virgin supporting with her left hand the Christ Child who is standing on her lap throwing his arms round her neck.
A letter in the Royal Archives from Ernst Becker (Prince Albert's librarian who led the Raphael Collection project between 1851 and 1860) to the art historian Gustav Friedrich Waagen (RA VIC/ADDA/10/85/333, dated 23 July 1853) states that Becker sent Waagen a print of Mr Fenton's picture of Lord Cowper's Madonna. Cowper had given permission for the painting to be photographed for Prince Albert in March 1853.
This photograph is one of the two currently part of the Raphael Collection reproducing the Small Cowper Madonna: one was listed by Ruland in his catalogue of the collection, the other is likely to be a later addition (see RCIN 850692).
Showing the seated figure of the Virgin supporting with her left hand the Christ Child who is standing on her lap throwing his arms round her neck.
A letter in the Royal Archives from Ernst Becker (Prince Albert's librarian who led the Raphael Collection project between 1851 and 1860) to the art historian Gustav Friedrich Waagen (RA VIC/ADDA/10/85/333, dated 23 July 1853) states that Becker sent Waagen a print of Mr Fenton's picture of Lord Cowper's Madonna. Cowper had given permission for the painting to be photographed for Prince Albert in March 1853.
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Creator(s)
View person pageAttributed to Roger Fenton (1819-69) (photographer)
After Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520) (artist)
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13.7 x 10.1 cm (sheet of paper)
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Probably acquired for the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)
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Object type(s)
- visual works
- photographs
Subject(s)
- Religion & Theology
- Religions and faiths
- Christianity
- Devotional Images of Christ
- Virgin & Child
- Devotional Images of Christ
- Christianity
- Religions and faiths
- visual works
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Other number(s)
Ruland p.58 A.VIII.1a(add)
Bibliographic reference(s)
Capellen 2001 : Capellen, JM, 2001. Raphael : the paintings. Volume 1, The Beginning in Umbria and Florence ca.1500-1508 pp. 203-206, no. 23
In Partnership with
The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.