La Fornarina

La Fornarina

Artist: Raphael Sanzio (Urbino, 1483- Rome, 1520)
Date: 1520 ca.
Dimensions: 87 x 63 cm
Medium: Oil on wood
Location: National Gallery of Ancient Art in Barberini Palace

It is said that the woman on this portrait is said to be Raphael’s lover and mistress, Margherita Luti the daughter of a baker in Trastevere this is why the painting is called La Fornarina means “bakers daughter” in Italian. Raphael might’ve painted this portrait for himself before his death since there is no record that it was painted for someone else. This painting holds a depiction of “Venus Pudica” with the pose of her hands, with one placed on her lap and the other placed on her breast, this pose is a sign of modesty that nevertheless guides the attention of the viewer to what she truly seeks to cover. We can also see a piece of jewelry on her arm that has his signature “Raphael Urbinas”