French School Of The Second Half Of The 18th Century After Raphael (1483–1520) –

French School, second half of the 18th century

After Raphael (1483–1520) –

The Bridgewater Madonna

A beautiful oil on canvas depicting the Virgin and Child, painted in the second half of the 18th century after one of Raphael’s most famous works: the Bridgewater Madonna, painted around 1507–1508 during the master’s Florentine period.

This composition reproduces Raphael’s masterpiece—now housed at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh—with remarkable fidelity; engravings and copies of the original were widely circulated in European workshops during the 18th century. This widespread circulation explains the emergence of high-quality early copies, intended for discerning art lovers and aristocratic collections.

The Virgin, radiating profound gentleness, delicately tilts her face toward the Infant Jesus, reclining on her lap. The gaze exchanged between the two figures conveys all the maternal tenderness that characterizes the most beautiful Madonnas of the Italian Renaissance. The balance of the composition, the grace of the poses, and the serenity of the expressions perfectly illustrate the genius of Raphael, whose influence spread throughout Europe for several centuries.

Our copy captivates with the quality of its execution. The skin tones are particularly refined, the modeling is delicately blended, and the drapery—in traditional shades of pink and blue—offers a rich chromatic palette. The Virgin’s face, of great elegance, reveals the hand of a painter thoroughly trained in academic principles, while the deliberately understated architectural background highlights the two sacred figures.

The canvas was re-stretched some time ago, ensuring the work’s excellent stability today while preserving the quality of its paint layer.

This painting is a remarkable testament to the admiration held for Raphael in the 18th century. It perfectly illustrates the tradition of grand historical copies based on Italian Renaissance masterpieces, intended for prestigious residences and collectors’ cabinets.

A work of great elegance, combining superb craftsmanship, refined colors, and emotional power, which will appeal to both lovers of old master paintings and collectors who appreciate the legacy of the Renaissance.

Canvas dimensions: 65 × 54 cm.
Dimensions with frame: 85 × 74 cm.