Introduction to the Renaissance: "The Alba Madonna" by Raphael

This week the students are examining two paintings of Mary and Jesus:
  • Cimabue's Madonna Enthroned (an example of a medieval painting)
    • Raphael's Alba Madonna (an example of a Renaissance painting)
    We are using these two paintings as our introduction to the Renaissance.  We are discussing similarities and differences between the two paintings, and we are starting to learn about the way that art can reveal the changing ideas of people during different periods of history.

    -----------

    Several perceptive students pointed out that both sets of figures have halos -- although the halos in Raphael's work are so soft and subtle that they often escape notice!

    Here are a few of the excellent observations and questions:

    Madonna Enthroned, by Cimabue

    Mia, Martha, Sophie G., and Dylan: Jesus and Mary are sitting on a beautifully carved golden throne. In the Bible story, weren't Mary and Joseph poor? And isn't Mary supposed to be humble?

    Lillian, Mason, and Chaolin: Mary looks so sad, and everyone looks solemn and serious. Why?

    Jackson, James, Harrison and Lucca: Jesus looks more like a miniature man than a realistic baby. He has so much hair!

    Kelsey: The people in this painting are two-dimensional. They have flat noses, eyes, and hands.

    Andrew, Lyra and Will B.: The main colors of the painting are gold, orange, and brown.

    Sean and Izzy: The painter made Mary so much bigger than all of the other people. She is disproportionate to everyone else.

    Sophia: All of the angels are alike. There is no individual character or personality.


    The Alba Madonna, by Raphael

    Gus, Peyton and Jake: Mary is holding a book. Is it the Bible? Did the real Mary know how to read?

    Lyra and Dylan: The people are looking at each other, instead of looking at you.

    Nik K.: The clothing looks so realistic (great wrinkles!). Lucca: There are so many realistic details. James and Max T.: Mary looks so realistic. The shading is fantastic. It looks more like a photo than a painting.

    Elle: Raphael's painting is bright and cheerful. This looks like a place I'd want to be.

    Chance, Nicholas F. and Scout: Mary and the children are sitting outdoors in this painting. In Cimabue's painting they are either in Heaven or in a church; in Raphael's painting they are in nature, on the Earth.

    Maggie, Will B. and Izzy: This painting is very colorful; plus, the colors in this painting are bright, vibrant, and vivid. Mary's blue robe really stands out, and it matches the blues of the sky, the mountains and the flowers.

    Lila, Gus, Ben and Sophie G.: Why is Jesus holding a cross? Does he already know that he's going to be crucified?

    Max T. and Veronica: Ths painting is an unusual shape. Why did Raphael choose to make this a circular painting?

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