Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

Subject:
"The Small Cowper Madonna" by Raphael depicts the Virgin Mary lovingly holding the Christ Child on her lap. Mary is seated in a serene, pastoral landscape, embodying both maternal tenderness and divine grace.

Color and Light:
The color palette consists of soft, harmonious hues. Mary wears a rich blue mantle over a crimson dress, colors symbolizing purity and divine love. Her skin is rendered in delicate, luminous tones, capturing her ethereal quality. The Christ Child is portrayed with rosy cheeks and golden curls, exemplifying innocence and holiness.

Composition:
The composition is tightly framed, focusing the viewer’s attention on the intimate bond between mother and child. Mary's delicate profile and her downcast, contemplative gaze set a tone of serene introspection. The child reaches out to his mother with one hand, a gesture that enhances the warmth and connection between the two figures.

Background:
The background consists of a lush, Tuscan landscape, with a serene blue sky dotted with soft clouds. Rolling hills and distant buildings can be seen, lending depth to the composition. This pastoral setting situates the divine figures within a relatable, earthly context, embodying Renaissance ideals of harmonizing the divine and the natural.

Location:
The original painting of "The Small Cowper Madonna" is housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Artist:
Raphael Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, simply known as Raphael, was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. Born in 1483 and passing away at the young age of 37 in 1520, Raphael left behind a profound legacy of artistic works known for their clarity, beauty, and balanced compositions.

Context in Raphael’s Career:
"The Small Cowper Madonna" was created around 1505 during Raphael's Florentine period (1504–1508). This phase of his career was crucial as it marks his transition from the influence of Perugino, his master, to the development of his distinct, mature style. In Florence, Raphael was exposed to the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, which had a significant impact on his art.

Artistic Movements:
The painting is a sublime representation of High Renaissance Art. This era emphasized harmony, proportion, and a revived interest in classical antiquity, all of which are evident in Raphael's meticulous composition and the idealized beauty of his figures.

Noteworthy Details:
1. Mastery of Detail: Examine the intricate details in the fabrics and facial expressions. Raphael’s skill in rendering textures and delicate features adds to the lifelike quality of the painting.

2. Echo of Devotional Theme: Madonna and Child were popular subjects during the Renaissance, embodying both religious devotion and humanist ideals. Raphael’s version stands out for its tender emotionality and subtle narrative.

3. Figures’ Idealization: Raphael often idealized his subjects, imparting a timeless beauty. Mary and the Christ Child are depicted with graceful simplicity, enhancing the painting’s serene and contemplative atmosphere.

4. Influences: Evidence of Leonardo da Vinci's influence can be seen in the softness of the faces and the use of sfumato, a technique that creates a fine, hazy effect to soften edges and blend colors.

By capturing the divine love and human tenderness between the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus, Raphael's "The Small Cowper Madonna" exemplifies the High Renaissance's pursuit of beauty, balance, and emotional depth. It remains a testament to Raphael’s unparalleled skill in capturing the intermingling of the divine and the earthly.