La Perla

Curatorial Overview

“The Holy Family more commonly known as La Perla is a c. 1518 oil on panel painting by Raphael. It depicts the Madonna and Child with John the Baptist, Saint Anne and in the background Saint Joseph. At this stage clearly influenced by his encounter with Leonardo (1513-1516) the pyramidal arrangement of the characters, the light contrasts and the recreation of a landscape that is no longer idealized but realistic are proof of it.”