Virgin nursing the infant Christ on her lap
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
Sheet (Trimmed): 6 9/16 × 4 3/4 in. (16.7 × 12 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1952
Accession Number
52.533.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This enchanting engraving, *Virgin Nursing the Infant Christ on Her*, stems from a design by Raphael (Raffa Sanzio da Urbino), the High Renaissance genius celebrated for his serene Madonnas and balanced compositions, and was masterfully executed by engraver Marco Dente around1515–20. just 6 9/16 × 4 3/4 inches, it depicts the Virgin Mary tenderly nursing the infant Jesus, a motif blending maternal warmth with divine sanctity that captivated Renaissance audiences. Engravings like this were revolutionary, translating Raphael's fluid drawing style—rooted in classical antiquity and humanistic ide...