Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints

The Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints, also known as the Colonna Altarpiece, is a painting by the Italian High Renaissance artist Raphael, circa 1504. It is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City. It is the only altarpiece by Raphael in the United States. The piece is a relatively early and transitional work by Raphael, painted for the convent of Sant'Antonio da Padova at Perugia. Raphael began work on it when he was barely 20 years old, just before he left for Florence in 1504, and he completed it the following year after he returned to Perugia. The piece shows clear elements of Raphael's early and his later Florentine style. The influence of his teacher Perugino can be seen in the conservative composition. But Raphael has infused into the stiffly posed group a breadth and dignity that reflects his knowledge of the work of Fra Bartolomeo in Florence. Particularly striking are Raphael's treatment of the Saints Peter and Paul, whose apparent volume fills the... full article at wikipedia