Raphael Madonna and Child
16” x 16” Oil and gold on linen aluminum panel
by Joshua Adam Risner
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This vibrant interpretation of the Madonna and Child is a modern reimagining heavily inspired by Raphael’s "Madonna della Seggiola." The painting centers on the tender embrace between Mary and the Christ child, whose faces are rendered with a soft, luminous realism that contrasts beautifully with the bold, energetic brushwork surrounding them. Mary’s gaze is gentle yet direct, drawing the viewer into a moment of quiet maternal intimacy, while a third figure—likely a young John the Baptist—looks on from the right with a pensive expression. The composition maintains the classic tight, circular arrangement of its Renaissance inspiration, emphasizing the unbreakable bond of the central figures against a deep, cobalt blue background.