Raphael’s classic work of art, Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints, represents one of the artists best-known paintings. Painted in around 1501, this work conveys many of the characteristics of Florentine-Roman High Renaissance art.
Florentine-Roman High Renaissance art is characterized by seven essential elements. The majority of these elements can be seen in Raphael’s painting, Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints, which depicts the Madonna and Christ the child among several saints and angels Saints.
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"High Renaissance Art: Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints".
Linear perspective, the first element of High Renaissance Art, is one such element that can be seen within this work. Linear perspective is used to provide depth to a two-dimensional painting through the use of parallel lines which disappear into the distance of the painting and give the illusion of depth within the painting. Looking at Raphael’s work, it is easy to envision the invisible parallel lines disappearing into the distance of the painting behind the Madonna which gives the illusion of depth in the image.
The next element of High Renaissance art is symmetry, which means that each side of the painting or work of art mirrors or balances each other. It is very clear that symmetry exists within Raphael’s work as the entire painting is balanced. For example, there are two figures on either side of the Madonna and child and also, an angel on either side of the figure at the top of the painting.
The third element is anatomy, or the nude, in which figures appear without clothing as a means to portray life-like figures. While many works of art which depict Christ as a child present the figure as nude, Raphael does not include this element within his work as all figures, including Christ, are fully clothed.
The fourth element of High Renaissance art is pyramidal composition in which the artist places a larger image in the center of the work with smaller objects or figures on either side. This is apparent within Raphael’s image as the Madonna sits upon a large chair with the figures surrounding her. While the angels within the central image are standing at the same level as the Madonna, the saints to either side of her stand lower, leaving room for further analysis behind the meaning of such placement.
Contrapposto is the fifth element of High Renaissance art and is Italian for “counter pose”, which means that the figure is placing its weight on one foot. Within art, this can mean many things such as movement or even a relaxed position. While this is not explicitly expressed within Raphael’s painting, the saints on either side of the Madonna have shoulders that are twisted in a way which suggests that more weight is being placed on one side of the body.
The sixth element, chiaroscuro, means a drastic contrast between light and shadows which provides a dramatic and bold effect in High Renaissance art. While not drastic within this particular painting, there is a clear contrast between the shadows and highlights within this work. This is especially true when considering the focal point of the painting in which the Madonna is seated and the upper portion of the painting which is darker.
The final element of High Renaissance art is monumentality, which means the work is of a larger stature physically or in meaning. The main panel of Raphael’s painting is over 5 feet wide and 5 feet tall, making it quite a large piece. In addition, the religious theme of the painting makes it a monumental piece as it would have been regarded as sacred. As such, Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints satisfies this element of High Renaissance art.
Raphael’s Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints is an iconic form of High Renaissance art and one of the artist’s best-known works. Having several of the elements of High Renaissance art, this work is a crucial part of the art from this period.
