Raphael madonna and child

Capturing the public's imagination ever since its creation, the two cherubs at the bottom of the altarpiece who sit as observers looking up at the Madonna and the Christ child as they descend from a heavenly space. Aside from the two cherubs, there are four other heavenly beings within Raphael's large alter painting. He looks up at the Holy Mother and child and points out to an invisible audience as if to say, "look at those who come to pay worship to you and the Holy child" , his hand has the appearance of almost reaching out of the frame of the painting.

Looking closely at the pope's right hand, one can see that it appears that he has five fingers and a thumb. The reason behind this phenomenon remains unknown and the existence planned or unplanned is a matter of contestation. Pope Sixtus's Pope Miter rests down below next to where the cherubs sit - it has probably been removed to pay respect to the Holy Mother.

Sistine madonna meaning

On the Madonna and baby Jesus' right side is the patron saint of artillery gunners, lighting and all those who risk their lives in working - Saint Barbara. This enigmatic look has been difficult for art scholars over centuries to comprehend; it consists of an overall tone of sadness but with a hint of a smile. Hidden in the background behind a curtain near Saint Barbara is a tower which is a representation of her imprisonment in a tower as she was locked away for her belief in Christianity in opposition to her father.

This painting was said to have been painted for the Epiphany, which usually includes the three kings of the East but instead we see Mary and Christ hovering on clouds. Wearing her traditional red and blue, Mary holds the Christ child as she looks out to the invisible audience, which Pope Sixtus II is pointing out towards. The mother and child have their heads touching as they look out on this crowd with Mary holding Christ snuggled against her and wrapped in the veil of her layered dress.

Why is the sistine madonna important

Their faces show no expression or at least any discernable expression as they look out and lock eyes with the viewer. The Sistine Madonna is painted with the illusion of being on a stage. This stage appears visible from the plank that the cherubs rest on and the curtain and rod that frame the painting.