THE MADONNA DELLA SEDIA.

It would be difficult to point out any one of the numerous pictures of the Madonna painted by Raffaelle that is so popularly known as this, for it has been reproduced in almost every conceivable manner to which imitative art can give expression. Its assumed date is about 1516, and if this be correct, Raffaelle would have been in the thirty-fourth year of his age, and in the full vigour of his wonderful genius: he was but thirty-seven when he died. He painted so many pictures of the Madonna, and in such different forms of treatment, that distinguishing titles have in process of time been given to the majority of the most famous by way of recognition; and this is knows as the ‘Madonna della Sedia,’ or Madonna of the chair, because the Virgin is seated on a low chair, the upright arm of which is alone visible. She holds the Infant Jesus on her knee, who leans against her bosom in the confiding attitude of a child conscious of a mother’s love and care. Kugler speaks thus of the holy pair: “She appears as a beautiful and blooming woman, looking out of the picture in the tranquil enjoyment of maternal love; the Child full and strong in form, has a serious, ingenuous, and grand expression. The colouring is uncommonly warm and beautiful.” Raffaelle has clothed the Virgin very much in the costume of the Italian women of his time, which, to some extent, has descended to our own: on her shoulders is a parti-coloured kerchief, and another is bound round the head. By their side is the infant John the Baptist, supporting a cross, his hands clasped together as if in prayer. When and how the picture came into the famous gallery of the Pitti Place we have no record, but it ranks among the gems of the collection.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Antique prints, etchings, engravings, and lithographs are printing processes which use steel, copper, stone or wood blocks or plates to produce a picture on paper.

Most antique prints and engravings, which are seen on the internet today, are bookplates.  Because they are pages from a book, there are multiple copies in existence.  This does not, however, mean that they are "reproductions" that have been printed recently.  Because they were, at some point, part of books, some have been preserved in excellent condition, while others show signs of age, as yellow spots or darkness on the edge of the page from being handled.

Engravings, lithographs, ect. are high quality pieces of art, as it took a highly trained artist many hours of work to produce one.  Although there may be multiple copies still in existence, the date of the item should be stated in the auction, thus giving the buyer an idea of it's age.

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