Raffaello - Die Madonna mit dem Granatapfel

This preparatory drawing shows the Virgin Mary in a moment of quiet contemplation, looking down at the infant Jesus. The Child grasps a pomegranate, a symbol of the Passion and the unity of the Church, while an open book in the lower right suggests the fulfillment of scriptural prophecy. The composition uses delicate cross-hatching and fine lines to create a sense of three-dimensional volume and soft light.

Raphael’s work exemplifies the High Renaissance Neoplatonic ideal where physical grace and mathematical harmony serve as a window into the divine. The pomegranate, while a Christian symbol of the Resurrection, also carries ancient associations with the mysteries of Persephone, reflecting the Renaissance synthesis of classical mythology and Christian theology.