| Detail of a 'Sacra Conversazione' painted by Raphael and completed under the influence of Fra Bartolommeo in 1506. Altarpiece commissioned by Ranieri di Bernardino Dei in his will dated 20/7/1506 for the family chapel in S. Spirito, Florence. Known as the 'Madonna del Baldacchino', the Virgin and naked Child sit on a throne raised up on three steps under a baldacchino with hangings held by two flying angels above. At the bottom of the steps are two small angels. On the right are St John and St Augustine, and on the left a bearded St Peter carrying the keys, and, nearest the Virgin, a youthful Bernard with his hood over his head. He has an open book in his right hand while the left hand is raised in greeting St Peter to whom he turns in an exchange of glances. See also preparatory drawings (DR11, DR12, & DR13).
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