June, 2002
1. A symbol of Dresden
"The Sistine Madonna" was painted by Raphael / Raffael (Raffaello Santi /
Raffaello Sanzio 1483 -1520/21) in 1513 on a flaxen wall (269.5 x 201cm) on an
altar in the Benedictine monastery church of San Sisto, the holy Sistine, in
Piacenza northern Italy. In 1512/13 Raphael Santi received the task of painting
the picture for Pope Julius II in Rome. The picture was known as "The Madonna of
the San Sisto", "The Sistine Madonna" or "Sistine".
Dresden is the capital city of Saxony in Germany, where the painting was sold to the court of Saxony. It isn't only the most famous picture in the "Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister Dresden" (the Old Masters Picture Gallery), but also a model of the high renaissance
August III, the Elector of Saxony and the King of Poland who was the son and the successor of August the Strong, was interested in Italian art and music. He wanted to get "The Sistine Madonna" for Saxony. At the beginning of the year 1752, the court of Saxony began to negotiate with the monks to purchase the picture. The monks were suffering from financial difficulties and they were more interested in the money they could receive, than the keeping of the picture. They then, offered the price of 36,000 scudi to Saxon! However, August III was not happy with the price, and the negotiations continued for more than a year. The court said the value was 15,000 scudi, and finally an agreement was reached and the picture was sold to the court of Saxony for the price of 25,000 scudi in the year 1754. Even to this day such an exorbitant amount of money has never been paid for a picture. The price of 25,000 scudi was said to have been enough to build a whole district of a town in that era. After the sale of the picture to Dresden, a copy that had been previously made which was as big as the original painted by Pier Antonio Avanzini in 1730 was hung in San Sisto at the altar.
Even now "The Sistine Madonna" appears to be a symbol of Dresden because everywhere you go it can be found. At the bottom of the picture there are two cherubs. Many items are available to the consumer in relation to these two characters, for example T-shirts, mugs, etc.
2. About Raphael Santi
Raphael Santi was born in Urbino on April 6, 1483. His first teacher of art was his father, Giovanni. In 1499, he went to Perugia, in Umbria and trained under Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci Perugino (c. 1450 - 1523). In 1504 he moved to Florence where he was influenced by Leonardo da Vinci (1452 - 1519) especially by the pictures of Madonna and the Angels. At the end of 1508 Raphael was summoned to Rome by Pope Julius II to paint "stanze" which means “rooms’ in English, the Pope's private rooms in the Vatican in fresco. Now the rooms are called "Stanze di Raffaello"(The Raphael's rooms) and there are his most renowned pictures, for example "Scuola di Athene" (School of Athens 1509), "Disputa" (Disputation over the Sacrament 1510-11), Parnasus (c.1509-10) etc. Raphael met Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475 - 1564) in Rome. He died in Rome on April 6, 1520.
3. Details of "The Sistine Madonna"
1) Mary with the Christ child
"The Sistine Madonna" was said to be a picture for the Epiphany which in tradition includes the 3 kings. However Madonna and Christ aren't with the three kings but are hovering on the clouds. The young mother looks innocent, and she is clasping her little son wrapped in her scarf to her breast. Her right cheek is touching his head and I feel that she is confused. She is bare foot and her big and little toes are short which seems unnatural. She is wearing one layer of clothing over another and her dress is thin making her left nipple visible which is rare compared to other works done. The color of hair, eyes and skin of the mother and child are almost similar but the faces lack similarity. The Christ child is bending his right leg and resting his left hand below his knee on the shin.
2) Xystus (Sixtus II)
Pope Sixtus II died as a martyr (Rome, Aug.6, 258). In the painting he is seen bending his fingers on his right hand. From some information previously written, anecdotes have been spoken. Concerning his hand these anecdote discuss whether or not the priest has 5 fingers or 4 and a thumb. But I believe that he has 4 fingers and a thumb. The fifth is an illusion because in reality the base of the palm located under the pinky finger gives the impression of a sixth finger. He takes his pope’s miter off and puts it on the plank where the two cherubs are resting on their arms. He is staring at Madonna and Christ in surprise.
3) Holy Barbara
She looks painted graceful. She isn't looking at Madonna with her son. She is kneeling and turning her eyes to the cherubs sadly but with the hint of a smile.
She lived in the third century as the daughter of Dioscuros, a rich opponent against Christianity from Asia Minor. Her hair style and her dress show that she was a rich woman. Barbara was a believer of Christ and it caused tension between her and her father. This tension resulted in her being killed by her father after being locked in a tower which is visible in the painting over her shoulder. Dioscuros tortured her with hunger and finally he handed her over to the governor of the city. St. Barbara was cruelly whipped and died.
The 4 members have halos hovering over their heads.
4) Two cherubs
The two cherubs are the most popular among merchandise that is sold regarding the painting in Dresden. The reason for this I believe is because of the expressions they have on their faces. One of the cherubs is resting his chin on his left hand and the other is folding his arms. Both of them are looking up to Madonna and her son as onlookers.
5) The background
A lot of angels' (babies') faces were lightly painted in the background. It has been said that it had been discussed for long time that the babies were angels or unborn children. The babies' faces are expressionless and their pupils aren't visible which gives the appearance of lifelessness and dreadfulness.
Raphael painted many angels (babies) in "Madonna di Foglino"( The Madonna of Foligno /Vatican c.1512), too. Those angels in the painting appear to not be unhappy but in peace.
"The Sistine Madonna" seems to be painted with the illusion of
being on a stage. The reason being is that two green curtains are hanging
from a curtain rod. These curtains are open and look as though they could
be closed at anytime, thus, causing the show to be over. In addition, at the
bottom of the picture the cherubs and the miter seem to be resting on the
stage floor, and the clouds may in turn be props that the Pope Sixtus II,
Holy Barbara, and the Virgin Mary with Christ are standing on.
The important colors of the picture are white, red, green and gold and the composition reminds me of the Cross.
June, 2002
Last Update 22. January, 2003 (Minako Watanabe)