The Purchase of Raphael’s "Conestabile Madonna"

 
Raphaello Santi
Madonna and the Child (The Conestabile Madonna)
Italy. Circa 1504
Tempera on canvas (transferred from panel)

In 1869, via Grigory Sergeyevich Stroganov, the Hermitage was offered the collection of Count Conestabile. Empress Maria Alexandrovna wished to purchase Raphael's Madonna and Child and the director of the Imperial Hermitage, Stepan Gedeonov, was sent to Florence to conduct negotiations. Initially the owner refused to sell the painting because Gedeonov was only empowered to offer a low price, but in 1870 the purchase was made for 310,000 francs. The Italian public was indignant at the loss of such a masterpiece but the Italian Government could not afford to purchase the work for the state. Raphael's Madonna and Child now became the Empress's property and was displayed in the Hermitage, to which she bequeathed it after her death.