Visitation (Raphael) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Visitation |
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| Artist | Raphael |
| Year | c.1517 |
| Dimensions | 200 cm × 145 cm (79 in × 57 in) |
| Location | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
The Visitation is a famous painting created around 1517 by the Italian artist Raphael. It shows a special moment from the Bible: when the Virgin Mary visited her cousin, Saint Elizabeth. This painting has been kept in the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain, since 1837.
The artwork was ordered by a church official named Giovanni Branconio. He wanted it for his family's chapel in a church in Aquila, Italy. Giovanni's father, Marino, asked for it, and it was a nice touch that Marino's wife was also named Elisabeth. Later, in 1655, soldiers from Philip IV of Spain took the painting. It was then moved to a royal palace called El Escorial before finding its home in the Prado Museum.
Contents
What is the Visitation?
The "Visitation" is a story from the Bible. It describes the moment when the Virgin Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, visited her older cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was also pregnant, expecting John the Baptist.
When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the Bible says that Elizabeth's baby "leaped in her womb." This was a sign that both women were carrying very special children. The painting captures this important meeting between the two future mothers.
Who Was Raphael?
Raphael (full name Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino) was one of the most famous artists of the High Renaissance. This was a time in Europe, around the late 1400s and early 1500s, when art, science, and culture were booming. Raphael lived from 1483 to 1520.
He was known for his beautiful and harmonious paintings. His works often showed calm and graceful figures. Raphael worked for important people like the Pope in Rome. He created many famous paintings, including frescoes in the Vatican and many portraits.
The Story of the Painting
Raphael painted the Visitation around 1517. It was a special order for a family chapel in the church of San Silvestre in Aquila, Italy. The person who ordered it, Giovanni Branconio, was an important church leader.
For many years, the painting stayed in Italy. However, in 1655, during a time of conflict, soldiers from Spain took the painting. It was moved to Spain and became part of the royal art collection. Eventually, it was placed in the Prado Museum, where millions of people can now see it.
Looking Closely at the Painting
The Visitation painting is quite large, measuring about 200 centimeters (about 6.5 feet) tall and 145 centimeters (about 4.7 feet) wide. It is painted with oil on wood.
In the painting, you can see Mary and Elizabeth embracing each other. Mary is on the left, and Elizabeth is on the right. Their faces show warmth and happiness. Behind them, there is a beautiful landscape with hills and a river. The colors in the painting are rich and vibrant, typical of Raphael's style. He used light and shadow skillfully to make the figures look real and alive.
See also
In Spanish: Visitación (Rafael) para niños
- List of paintings by Raphael
