Oddi altarpiece – Coronation of the Virgin Raphael (1483-1520)

Description of Raphael Santi’s painting "Crowning of Mary

The work was painted in 1502-1503 for the altar of Oddi. An interesting fact in the creation of this painting was that the artist did not independently determine the main components of the image. At the same time his favorite religious themes in the early stages of creativity found its admirers.

Speaking of the upper part of the canvas, there is a certain borrowing of the silhouettes from Perugino’s work The Ascension of Our Lady. In doing so, Raphael favored a careful painting of the altar arrangement, as well as the faces and other important religious elements arranged in the work. In this way one can note the impressive superiority of the student over the teacher.

In this painting we can consider the creator’s familiarity with the beautiful exaltations of Rome and Florence. As we know, Raphael was an avid traveler, wishing to enrich his spiritual world and dissolve himself in the profound grandeur of his surroundings. Such a manner was reflected in his works.

Looking at the work, one can’t help but notice the minimalized distinction between the so-called participants of the canvas. In this way the artist wanted to emphasize the idea of the closeness of the Christian soul with the saints.

Traditionally, Mary is represented in a blue cloak covering her head. On the sides are angels and patrons. Contemporaries described their feelings after viewing the painting, speaking of the presence of a sense of lightness and "airiness," and the musical instruments on the upper tier of the canvas as if through the image gave a melody of calm. They are presented in the painting as a solemn element by which Mary is welcomed into heaven.

The lower tier of the painting is represented as waiting. Christians are watching the coronation process, putting aside their usual activities. Here one can speak of the unity of the people through Mary and her importance in religion.