Heads from The Visitation

Two prints depicting the heads of the characters in the Visitation, a painting now in the Prado Museum, Madrid (inv.no. 300). These prints were part of a larger publication, for which many artists and engravers were employed, reproducing works by Raphael: F. Bonnemaison, Suite d'études calquées et dessinées d'après cinq tableaux de Raphaël (Paris 1822). See RCIN 850320.a for a photograph of the painting.

The Visitation was commissioned probably from Raphael by Giovanni Branconio dell'Aquila, a papal advisor and goldsmith whose palace (now destroyed) was designed by Raphael c.1520 (see RCINs 853137, 853138, 853139 for prints depicting the palace). Giovanni then donated The Visitation to St Silvestro in L'Aquila. This painting was traditionally attributed to Raphael but scholars now believe it to be by his workshop and the names of Giulio Romano and Giovanni Francesco Penni have been suggested. Whereas scholars agree on ascribing the execution of the painting to the workshop, it is a matter of dispute the involvement of Raphael in its original design (see Bibliographic References).

The subject is based on a passage of the Gospel of Luke (1:39 ff) and, in this instance, it is set outside rather than in the house of Zacharias. The scene is completed by an open landscape with the depiction of the Baptism of Christ and the apparition of God the Father at the left background.