The Virgin with the Blue Diadem after Raphael – souvenir from the Grand Tour, 19th century
“The Virgin with the Blue Diadem”, a period reproduction made in the early 19th century, inspired by Raphael’s famous masterpiece. This painting, also known as “Virgin and Child with the Little Saint John” or “The Virgin with the Veil” (Madonna del diadema blu in Italian), embodies all the grace and spirituality of the Italian Renaissance.
The original, kept at the Louvre Museum in Paris, depicts a Virgin Mary wearing a blue diadem, a symbol of purity and heavenly royalty. She holds the Child Jesus with poignant tenderness, while the little Saint John watches with devotion, forming a composition imbued with gentleness and mysticism.
This reproduction, made in the early 19th century, reflects the enthusiasm for the great masters of the Renaissance, particularly during the era when the Grand Tour cultural trips were in vogue. These meticulously executed copies were brought back as souvenirs from the great artistic capitals, offering their owners a tangible part of Europe’s cultural heritage.
Like many Renaissance masterpieces, The Virgin with the Blue Diadem has had a tumultuous journey. It has been rediscovered and restored several times, in particular because of the alterations that the work has undergone over the centuries. The blue diadem that gives its name to the painting was not as apparent on the work before certain restorations, and it has become an emblematic detail highlighted by historians.
Ideal for art and history lovers, this painting combines the timeless beauty of Raphael with the authenticity of a period copy.
Italy 19th century
Height: 97 cm.
Width: 72 cm.
