The Sistine Madonna, 19th or early 20th century copy

After Raphael (1483–1520)

Italian

Oil on canvas

Original (c. 1512-1514) is in the Gemäldegalerie, Dresden, Germany

St. Mary’s Hall, Boston College

The original was painted by Raphael on an altar in the Benedictine monastery church of San Sisto, the holy Sistine, in Piacenza, in northern Italy. It was probably intended to decorate the tomb of Pope Julius II (1443–1513), one of Raphael’s patrons. The Madonna and Child are accompanied by St. Sixtus, who may be an effigy of Pope Julius II, and St. Barbara, martyr and patron saint of the Church at Piacenza. St. Sixtus’ gesture and St. Barbara’s glance seem to be directed toward the viewer. The composition of the figures forms a cross, with putti leaning on the balustrade at the painting’s base, next to the Papal tiara.