1905 The Marriage of the Virgin by Raphael Vintage Art Postcard
About This Vintage Postcard
This stunning color lithograph reproduces one of the most celebrated masterpieces of the High Renaissance: "The Marriage of the Virgin" (Lo Sposalizio), painted by Raphael in 1504. The scene depicts the wedding of Mary and Joseph, with the High Priest joining their hands in front of a magnificent, centrally-planned temple. Raphael’s brilliance is on full display in the perfect mathematical perspective of the paved piazza and the balanced poses of the figures. To the right, a disappointed suitor breaks his rod, a traditional symbol in this biblical narrative. This work, currently housed in the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, represents the definitive moment where Raphael surpassed the style of his teacher, Perugino, to achieve absolute spatial harmony.
Details
Era: Divided Back (circa 1905–1915)
City: Milan (Museum Location)
State or Region: Lombardy
Country: Italy / USA (Publisher locations)
Topic: Raphael Art, Lo Sposalizio, Renaissance Painting, Pinacoteca di Brera, Biblical Scenes, Italian Fine Art
Condition: Uncirculated
Postage: None
Address Side: divided back
Orientation: Horizontal (Landscape)
Artist / Photographer: Raffaello Sanzio (Raphael) (1483–1520)
Publisher: G. Cusumano, Florence, New York, and Boston (No. 1070)
Printer: Printed in Italy
Print Type: Chromolithograph
Additional Information
This postcard was published by G. Cusumano, a firm with offices in Florence, New York, and Boston, highlighting the robust international trade in fine art reproductions during the Golden Age of postcards. The manufacturing date is narrowed to 1905–1915, a peak period for Italian-printed chromolithographs destined for the American market. The "Printed in Italy" mark is a sign of the high-quality color-work for which Italian printers were renowned. This specific card, part of a numbered series (No. 1070), documents the painting's home in the Brera Gallery (Milano). Interestingly, Raphael signed and dated the original painting, RAPHAEL URBINAS MDIIII, in the frieze of the temple shown in the background, a detail faithfully preserved in this miniature reproduction.
This postcard would look great framed or make an excellent addition to any collection.
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