Madonna of the Pinks by Raphael

Madonna of the Pinks by Raphael
The painting is about youth Virgin Mary playing with the Christ child and handling him carnations. Both the Virgin and Child seated in a bedchamber with a view of a sunny landscape seen through a window. The child’s attention has been caught by the delicate flowers she holds, the pinks, which are symbolic of love and betrothal. Virgin Mary is dressed in a grey and yellow dress with a blue skirt and a small white veil, and Jesus sits naked on a white pillow on her lap. A window in the top right corner shows some tumbledown building, and behind the Virgin Mary is a curtain in a dull green color.

The Madonna of the Pinks is an early devotional painting by Italian master Raphael. It was painted in oils on fruitwood. Raphael Sanzio was a painter and architect. Raphael painted the picture shortly before leaving Florence for Rome.

The painting was bought from the Duke of Northumberland in 2004 by London's National Gallery in order to keep the painting from being sent to Getty’s collection.

The Madonna of the Pinks was first deemed an original Raphael in Longhena's 1829 book about the artist. The painting was purchased in 1853 by the 4th Duke of Northumberland for Alnwick Castle. In 1991, National Gallery curator Nicholas Penny examined the picture and hailed it as a rediscovered masterpiece in an article published in Burlington Magazine the same year. Now hanging in National Gallery and considered one of the UK's national treasures.
Madonna of the Pinks by Raphael

Adoration of the magi

Adoration of the magi
Adoration of the magi was painted by Andrea Mantegna in 1500. Andrea Mantegna is one of the famous painters of 15th century. It reflects the influence of the Venetian and Flemish schools. The influence of both ancient Roman sculpture and the sculptor Donatello are clearly evident in Mantegna's rendering of the human figure. One of the key artistic figures of the second half of the 15th century, Mantegna was the dominant influence on north Italian painting for 50 years. Magi is derived from the Persian word for Magician, and they were considered members of a priestly caste of Persians.

In the painting shows three kings pay homage to the Christ Child, who in turn makes a sign of blessing. Jesus Christ, his mother the Virgin Mary, and Mary's husband Joseph have haloes and wear simple garments, while the Magi are dressed in exotic clothing and jewels and bear exquisite gifts. Caspar, bearded and bareheaded, presents the Christ Child with a rare Chinese cup, made of delicate porcelain and filled with gold coins. Melchior, the younger, bearded king behind Caspar, holds a Turkish censer for perfuming the air with incense; on the right, Balthasar the Moor carries a covered cup made of agate.
The price paid by for the art work in 1985 was $10.4 million in 1985 by J. Paul Getty.
Adoration of the magi