The Alba Madonna by Raphael Value Guide

The Alba Madonna is a quintessential masterpiece of the High Renaissance, painted by Raphael in 1511 using oil on canvas. This circular tondo is celebrated for its harmonious composition and tender depiction of Mary, Jesus, and John the Baptist within a serene Italian landscape.

What affects the value of The Alba Madonna by Raphael?

• The physical condition of the oil on canvas, specifically looking for signs of historical restoration or paint stabilization.
• The quality and era of the frame, as many historical reproductions are valued based on their decorative housing.
• Market demand for High Renaissance reproductions, which currently places the estimated value between $20 and $50.
• The size and fidelity of the print or copy, as this original work resides permanently in a museum collection.

How to Identify The Alba Madonna by Raphael?

• Verify the circular 'tondo' format which was a signature compositional choice for this 1511 work.
• Look for the specific grouping of the Virgin Mary seated on the ground with the Christ Child and John the Baptist.
• Check for the distinct High Renaissance style characterized by balanced proportions and a soft, atmospheric landscape background.
• Confirm the provenance link to the Duke of Alba in Spain or the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

History of The Alba Madonna by Raphael

Raphael's The Alba Madonna, painted in 1511, is a masterpiece of the High Renaissance. Commissioned for the church of Santa Maria dell'Oliva in Nocera dei Pagani, near Naples, it later belonged to the Duke of Alba in Spain, hence its name. The painting's circular format, known as a tondo, emphasizes the harmonious composition and tender interaction between the figures. It was eventually acquired by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. in 1937, where it remains a treasured part of their collection.