AFTER RAFFAELLO SANZIO, CALLED RAPHAEL (17/18TH CENTURY)
Madonna of the pinks (The Pembroke Madonna) ('La Madonna dei Garofani')
oil on panel
31.5 x 22.5 cm

The original c.1506 held by the National Gallery, London.

The present panel is a copy in reverse of The Madonna of the Pinks which is a prime example of Raphael's mastery in depicting beauty, emotion, and harmonious composition. The painting reflects the Renaissance ideals of balance, grace, and naturalism. Raphael's attention to detail, refined use of colour, and exquisite rendering of textures contribute to the overall elegance of the work.

Originally the picture may have been intended to be held for prayer and contemplation. A manuscript inventory dating to the early 1520s states that it was made for Maddalena degli Oddi, a nun in Perugia.