Search across the various types of information associated with a work of art – artist, title, descriptive text, date, medium & accession number.
Type a search word or phrase into the search box and click Go, or hit the return key.
Search Tips
As this search is quite comprehensive, choosing the correct search term(s) is important. Entering "black" will return works by artists of that name, works with "black" in the title or the text, and even works that have "black chalk" as a medium.
-
Start with the obvious – to look for text about sculpture or sculptors, try "sculpture", but add other terms to narrow your search e.g. "bronze sculpture".
-
By default, only works of art that include all of your search terms (anywhere in the text) will be displayed. There is no need to include "and" between terms.
- If you are unsure how to spell a name or the term is very long, search for a portion of the word using a wildcard character. Enter an asterisk(*) after a portion of the search phrase, e.g. Kokos*.
Raphael (Raffaello Santi)
The Virgin and Child ('The Bridgewater Madonna')about 1507On Display | NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND
Raphael made many drawings and paintings of the Virgin and Child, in part inspired by the work of Leonardo da Vinci in Florence. Here he achieved a particularly graceful combination of poses, with an elegant twist (contrapposto) in both. The exchange of glances further emphasises the tender relationship between the beautiful mother and child. Technical analysis has revealed that the artist originally painted a landscape background. Raphael may have decided that a dark setting was a better foil for the subtle modelling of his figures in light and shadow. The painting was probably made as a devotional image for a private chamber.
Glossary Open
Contrapposto
This term usually refers to a standing human figure carrying its weight on one leg so that the opposite hip rises to produce a relaxed curve in the body, although it can be used more generally to describe any twisted figure. It is associated with Renaissance sculptors who looked back to Ancient Greek and Roman models for inspiration.
Devotional art
Religious images used privately as a focus of prayer or an aid to meditation.
Details
- Accession no. NGL 065.46
- Medium Oil and gold on canvas, transferred from panel
- Size Painted area: 81.00 x 55.00 cm; 82.00 x 57.00 cm
- Credit Edinburgh, National Gallery of Scotland (Bridgewater Loan, 1945)
Raphael (Raffaello Santi) (Italian (Florentine), 1483 - 1520)
During Raphael's short career he produced works of extraordinary refinement that were to have a profound influence on the course of European painting. His artistic education began in Urbino, where his father was court painter; he then moved to Florence, and finally to Rome, summoned by Pope Julius II to decorate the papal apartments (Stanze). His frescoes in Rome are perhaps his most celebrated works, but Raphael also excelled at painting large altarpieces, small devotional paintings and portraits. He designed tapestries for the Sistine Chapel, worked on architectural projects, and ran a busy workshop in which a number of the most important artists of the next generation were educated.
Glossary Open
Altarpiece
An artwork behind a church altar featuring religious scenes or imagery which was usually the focus for the celebration of the Mass.
Devotional art
Religious images used privately as a focus of prayer or an aid to meditation.
Fresco
A wall painting applied to fresh, wet plaster so that the coloured pigment is absorbed into the surface of the wall.
Tapestry
A fabric with an ornamental or pictorial design woven into it.