Grand Dukes Maddona after Raphael

Grand Duke's Maddona after Raphael

Grand Duke's Maddona after Raphael

• Origin: Spetchey Park, Worcestershire
• History: Acquired by Robert and Rose Berkley during their travels to Italy in the 1890s, this artwork holds significant historical value.
• Significance: Additionally, an archivist from Berkley Castle suggests that the painting may have once adorned a bedroom in Spetchey Park, further enhancing its story and charm.

Technique

• Medium: Rare and unusual oil on paper laid to board.
• Details: This distinctive medium gives the artwork a vibrant texture, making it an exceptional example of 19th-century craftsmanship.

Condition: Grand Duke's Maddona after Raphael

• Restoration: The painting has been professionally cleaned, while the intricate grapevine frame has undergone meticulous restoration to revive its original beauty.
• Notes: Although a few minor pieces are missing from the frame, and the paper shows slight creases, these characteristics only add to its authenticity and historical appeal.

By adding the Grand Duke’s Madonna after Raphael to your collection, you can own a rare and captivating piece of art history. This stunning oil painting not only celebrates Raphael's genius but also brings the elegance of Renaissance art into the modern era. With its unique provenance and remarkable craftsmanship, it is a treasure for any collector or admirer of fine art.

Please contact us for high-resolution images, or we can arrange mutually convenient virtual viewing.

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🔎 Provenance Story

This exquisite 19th-century oil painting, The Grand Duke’s Madonna after Raphael, originates from Spetchey Park, Worcestershire — once the residence of Robert and Rose Berkley, noted collectors and travellers of the late Victorian period. The Berkleys acquired this piece during a grand tour of Italy in the 1890s, where they amassed a small but significant collection of European religious artworks, many inspired by Renaissance masters.

An archivist from Berkeley Castle has traced this work to a private bedroom suite within Spetchey Park, where it was said to bring both aesthetic beauty and devotional calm to the space. The hand-carved grapevine frame — carefully restored but still bearing traces of its original 19th-century gilding — speaks to its intimate, domestic display rather than a grand gallery show.

What sets this piece apart is its medium: oil on paper laid to board, a rare and nuanced technique that lends the Madonna’s form a striking softness and intimacy. The slight creasing and gentle wear of the paper only enhance its authenticity, underscoring its journey through time and taste.

Today, this artwork stands as a refined heirloom — bridging Italian Renaissance reverence with 19th-century English collecting culture. A treasure for those who appreciate classical beauty wrapped in real human history.

Grand Duke's Maddona after Raphael, a stunning 19th-century oil painting from the renowned Berkley Collection. This remarkable artwork, inspired by the brilliance of the Renaissance master Raphael, exemplifies the enduring allure of classical art. Painted in the Italian School tradition, this rare piece showcases a unique and captivating technique—oil on paper laid to the board—that sets it apart from other works.

Furthermore, the painting’s elegance is amplified by its hand-carved grapevine frame, which has been carefully restored to preserve its intricate details and timeless charm. Whether displayed in a home or office, the Grand Duke’s Madonna after Raphael makes a striking statement piece, effortlessly drawing the admiration of all who view it.

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