Madonna of the Meadow was painted by Raffaello Sanzio, otherwise known as Raphael, in 1505. This time period is known as the Italian Renaissance. The painting was oil on panel and stood 3 ft 8.5 in x 2 ft 10.25 in. It is now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Italy. Madonna on the Meadow is of a classical nature, which is very common of that time period. A good example of this would be the nude characters used in the art. The oil medium used was very popular throughout Italy during this time. It allowed the painter to make very realistic shades and colors. The figures and landscapes in the painting looked very much alive due to the use of oil paint. The iconography of the painting lies in the history of its famous characters. The three figures come from the Bible; however the artist has taken some liberties. The picture contains the Virgin Mary, the baby Jesus and St. John the Baptist. The picture foreshadows the death of Christ on the cross. This point is displayed in the action of the painting where St. John is handing Jesus a small cross and Mary is looking upon it knowing what is to come. There is a feeling of

connection among the three of them by the way they are all looking at each other and the cross. Although I could not find and documentation on this, I feel there is also a symbol of trinity in the three flowers to Mary’s left side. The flowers are prevalent and are connected to the figures in the painting by having the same color as the Virgin’s shirt. It is also speculated that the water in the background symbolizes the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist. The fact that Mary is barefoot in the painting indicates that she is walking on holy ground. This painting is among a series that has been called Madonna of the lands because of the Florentine countryside in the background is said to be under the protection of the Virgin, infant Child, and the Baptist. The Virgin Mary is also joined to the landscape by her sloping shoulders that make a continuation of the mountainous peaks of Florence in the background. The positioning a placement of the three biblical characters is said to be in a Leonardesque-type pyramid, Raphael favored this style and positioning from Leonardo Di Vinchi. The poses of the three are very calm, relaxed and subdued. His overall style of the painting was very realistic and smooth. The use of light was very natural and soft with delicate shadowing and a continuous flow of direction of the sunlight. The setting is very spacious and deep and his use of atmospheric perspective is very noticeable, allowing the scene to become

Some topics in this essay:
Madonna Meadow, Di Vinchi, St John, Uffizi Christ, Virgin Mary, Baptist Mary, Madonna Enthroned, Virgin Christ, Italian Renaissance, John Baptist, madonna meadow, virgin mary, virgin mary baby, st john, baby jesus, mary baby, john baptist, figures painting, raphael’s painting, madonna enthroned, mary baby jesus,