Artwork
Madonna della seggiola
Madonna della seggiola is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Saint-Mémin made this copy in 1795 using etching and engraving so people could own a version of Raphael’s work.
This print shows Mary holding the Christ child while John the Baptist looks on. It copies Raphael’s famous 1514 oil painting, right down to the red chair and warm colors. Saint-Mémin made this copy in 1795 using etching and engraving so people could own a version of Raphael’s work.
The plate is printed on two layers of paper, which gives the image a deeper, softer look than most prints. You can still feel the lines where the artist scratched the metal.
Look for the same scene in the original: search for “Raphael Madonna della seggiola” online.
Overview
Madonna della Seggiola is a print created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1795, reproducing Raphael's 1514 oil painting of the same name. The work features Mary holding the Christ child with John the Baptist in attendance, characterized by a distinctive red chair and warm color palette.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a tender scene of the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Christ, while a young John the Baptist looks on. This composition, faithfully reproduced from Raphael's original, embodies a quintessential representation of early Christian iconography, focusing on the intimate relationship between the figures.
Technique & Style
Saint-Mémin employed etching and engraving techniques to replicate Raphael's work. The print is mounted on two layers of paper (wove paper over brown wove paper), achieving a deep, soft appearance. The visible, scratched lines from the metal plate etching process are still palpable.
History & Provenance
Created in 1795 as a reproduction of Raphael's 1514 painting, this print is now part of the Corcoran Collection. Its creation allowed broader accessibility to Raphael's artwork during the late 18th century.
Context
Madonna della Seggiola reflects the 18th-century interest in reproducing renowned artworks for wider dissemination. Saint-Mémin's technique ensured fidelity to the original, making Raphael's composition available to those who could not access the painting itself.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin (French pronunciation: ; 1770–1852) was a French portrait painter and museum director.
