Madonna del Granduca (sketch, Uffizi) in Pushkin museum (2016) by shakko 03

A light pencil or chalk drawing of the Madonna and Child, framed within a large circle or tondo. The Virgin gazes downward with a serene expression while the infant Jesus rests against her, his hand grasping her garment. The sketch demonstrates the soft modeling and balanced composition characteristic of the High Renaissance.

Raphael's depictions of the Virgin utilize the Neoplatonic concept of 'divine beauty,' where physical grace serves as a ladder to spiritual contemplation. This approach aligns with the teachings of Marsilio Ficino, who posited that the soul is drawn to God through the recognition of harmony and beauty in the material world.