The Alba Madonna

Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio)

Circa 1510

Oil on canvas (transferred from panel)

National Gallery, Washington

This painting, created by the artist in Rome was for a long time in the possession of the Monte Oliveto Monastery near Naples. It is believed that it may have been presented to the monastery church by Paolo Giovio to mark his promotion to a bishopric by Pope Clement VII in 1528.

In the 18th century the Madonna came into the palace of the Duques de Alba in Madrid and since then it has been known by the name of that family. Nicholas I acquired The Alba Madonna in 1836, at a price of 14,000 pounds sterling.