Madonna and Child with Book

Madonna and Child with Book by Raffaello Sanzio also called Raphael
Italian, 1483-1520
Oil on panel
21-3/4 x 15-3/4 in. (55.2 x 40 cm)

The mother's soft touch with her child presents the deep connection between mother and son. Her dark silhouette pressed up against the light background helps to enclose her and her son from the rest of the painting. The child's gaze is a look of dependence of his mother. Their rosey cheeks show softness of their characters. Their touch of the book shows some kind of importance, it may be the bible. The mother's gaze down to her child gives the viewer a sense of assurrance to her child. Telling her child I will never leave you and always be at your side. The baby also has a look of trust in his mother. The entire painting also gives the viewer a sense of peace and at ease with the mother and her child. You feel relaxed as if you were sitting with them.