Description
Antique Oil painting on canvas, unsigned, gilt-framed.
The Holy Family Meeting the Infant St John the Baptist (‘The Madonna del Passeggio’) Antique late 18th or early 19th Century, Italian School, after Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino 1483-1520)
Raphael is one of the most famous Madonna painters. He painted so many that his biography as a painter can be retraced and illustrated thanks to those outstanding artistic representations of Our Lady. Raphael’s Madonna is a popular topic for Christmas stamps. Until 1991, Raphael’s Madonna was pictured on 298 stamps (or blocks of stamps) in seventy-five countries.
The execution of this painting could be by one of Raphael’s school assistants in or someone from that lineage very much later in the late 18th or early 20th century. The painting was acquired from an old Monastery in Italy some years back by a collector and was acquired by us a few years ago by him in London.
Euphemistically called “Madonna of the Walk,” the painting represents a scene in the Flight to Egypt. The Virgin and Child pause to greet young St. John. The Virgin holds the arm of the Christ Child with her left hand and puts her right hand on St. John’s head. The two naked children are the expression of bucolic innocence and friendship. St. Joseph is on his way, half-hidden by shrubbery and trees.
The idea is charming, the children graceful, and the landscape pretty, but the overall impression leaves little place for the grand emotion produced by the artist. Some parts of this painting give a much more delightful face to the infant Jesus, St John and Mary than the original which is in the Farnese Collection, National Museum of Cap de Monte, Naples. Of course, the original is a significant Masterpiece there in Naples.
The painting looks like it had minor restoration and relining done some long time ago but it is in good condition. It is a museum-quality painting. a few scuff marks are visible which are appropriate to its age, Craquelure is also seen throughout the canvas, and considering the age this is also normal.
The painting has a few scuff marks which are appropriate to its age, and some minor losses along the edges due to frame rubbing are hardly visible.
The large wood and gilt frame have chips on the lower-left corner and has a floral petal and its bits missing as you can see from the pictures. Essentially the painting is of high quality.
In general, it is good condition considering its age and should look much fresher with cleaning and varnishing.
I have seen 2 or 3 other significant known copies of which one is in the National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh. The second one, executed sometime in the late or early 20th century exists in the Abbey Church, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
Framed size 101 x 81 cm (40 x 32 inches)
Canvas 62 x 90 cm (24 x 36 inches)
Condition: Excellent condition considering the age. Craquelure is seen throughout the painting and some scuff marks are also visible only on closer examination. The painting looks like it has relining done many years ago. Generally, in good condition for its age with some minor restoration seen.
Contact me for further information, viewing via eBay or our website for more information. Most objects sold in our gallery are antiques, vintage or used, therefore they will show signs of being antique, vintage or used. There may be signs of scratches, discolouration, chips, cracks wear, tear etc. Please see the photographs as they form part of the description.
