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Colonna Altarpiece

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description Colonna Altarpiece Overview

The Colonna Altarpiece is an early altarpiece by Raphael, made around 1504 to 1505 for a Franciscan convent in Perugia. Its central panel depicts the enthroned Madonna and Child with saints and shows Raphael working within the devotional traditions of Umbrian Renaissance painting. The ensemble was later dispersed; the main panel and several associated components are held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

help Colonna Altarpiece FAQ

Who painted the Colonna Altarpiece?

The altarpiece was painted by the Italian High Renaissance master Raphael early in his career, around 1504 to 1505. It was commissioned while he was still heavily influenced by his teacher, Pietro Perugino, in the Umbrian region.

What is depicted in the central panel of the Colonna Altarpiece?

The main panel depicts the Madonna and Christ Child enthroned in a celestial setting, surrounded by various saints and angels. The composition uses a balanced, symmetrical arrangement typical of Umbrian devotional paintings of that era.

Where are the pieces of the Colonna Altarpiece located today?

The central panel of the altarpiece is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The predella panels, however, were separated over time and are currently held in the National Gallery in London and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.

Why was the Colonna Altarpiece commissioned?

The work was created for the nuns of the Convent of Sant'Antonio da Padova in Perugia. It served as the focal point for the convent's high altar until it was dismantled and sold to art collectors in the 17th century.

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