Artwork

Raphael Adjusts Fornarina’s Hair Before Painting her Portrait

Marie-Philippe Coupin de La Couperie , 1824

Raphael Adjusts Fornarina’s Hair Before Painting her Portrait is an oil painting by Marie-Philippe Coupin de La Couperie. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1824, this oil on canvas portrays the Renaissance master Raphael as he gently arranges the hair of his lover, the model known as La Fornarina. The intimate interior scene is rendered with subdued browns, beiges and soft pinks, illuminated by a warm, left‑hand light that emphasizes the quiet exchange between the two figures.

Subject & Meaning

The work imagines a private moment between Raphael and his muse, suggesting both artistic collaboration and personal affection. By focusing on the act of grooming, the painter highlights the preparatory stage of portraiture, underscoring the intimacy required for the creation of a likeness and hinting at the romantic narrative that has long surrounded the Fornarina.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Troubadour tradition, the painting combines a modest, historic subject with a refined, sentimental atmosphere. The artist employs delicate brushwork to model flesh and fabric, while the muted palette and soft chiaroscuro convey a sense of calm. The composition is tightly framed, drawing the viewer’s eye to the gesture of Raphael’s hand and the subtle expression of the woman.

History & Provenance

The French painter Marie‑Philippe Coupin de La Couperie, known for his historical and literary scenes, produced the canvas during the early nineteenth‑century revival of Renaissance themes. After changing hands among private collectors, the painting entered the Nationalmuseum’s collection, where it remains on display as part of the institution’s holdings of 19th‑century French art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Marie-Philippe Coupin de La Couperie

Marie-Philippe Coupin de la Couperie, born Marie-Philippe Coupin (11 June 1773 – 19 December 1851), was a French painter, porcelain painter, lithographer and drawing teacher.

Museum

Nationalmuseum

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