Shop art print and framed art La Fornarina by Raffaello

History and context of Raphael's La Fornarina

La Fornarina, also known as La Belle Jardinière or Portrait of Margherita Luti, painted between 1518 and 1519, is an oil on wood attributed to Raphael, the undisputed master of the Italian Renaissance. The work, housed in the National Gallery of Ancient Art in Palazzo Barberini in Rome, measures 85 × 60 cm. The painting depicts a strikingly beautiful young woman, traditionally identified as Margherita Luti, the daughter of a Roman baker, nicknamed "La Fornarina". According to legend, she was Raphael's mistress, and the painting is a passionate declaration of love. This romantic hypothesis is reinforced by the presence of a bracelet on the young woman's left arm, on which can be read the inscription "RAPHAEL URBINAS".

Raphael's La Fornarina: a mythical and mysterious work

The painting presents a bust portrait of a young woman, turned slightly to the right. When you look closely at La Fornarina, you quickly notice the harmony of the colours and the subtlety of the details. Her gaze, at once direct and mysterious, captivates the viewer. The light highlights her fair complexion, wavy brown hair and dark eyes. She wears a red sheet over her knees, a symbol of passion, and a transparent shawl revealing her delicate bust. An Oriental turban adorned with pearls completes her ensemble, adding an exotic touch to her beauty. The dark background highlights the young woman's figure, accentuating her sensual presence.

The central subject: La Fornarina, muse and idealized lover

La Fornarina is depicted as an ideal beauty, at once sensual and modest. La Fornarina's face reveals great realism and marked expressiveness: her deep, clear eyes seem to defy the viewer, while her slightly half-open mouth hints at a sensuality full of mystery. Her expression contrasts with the richness of her clothes and jewellery.

As for the young woman's body, Raphaël brilliantly captured all the beauty of the matte, delicate skin, as well as the harmonious curves that give her an appearance that is both voluptuous and elegant.

Raphaël has managed to capture the complexity of her emotions, creating a portrait that is both realistic and idealised. The young woman embodies feminine beauty in all its splendour, but also its fragility and mystery.

Symbolism of La Fornarina: A secret language of love and beauty

Each element of the painting is charged with meaning. The red dress evokes passionate love, while the transparent shawl suggests sensuality. The oriental turban, a symbol of luxury and exoticism, reinforces the aura of mystery surrounding the young woman. A pearl, probably a symbol of purity and chastity, falls from the headband, contradicting the erotic and provocative nature of the painting. The bracelet bearing Raphaël's name is a declaration of love, but also the artist's signature, his claim to his work and his passion. Behind the model, a curtain of drawn green silk reveals a landscape of greenery in soft, shimmering hues. This composition undoubtedly evokes a peaceful, romantic atmosphere in which the lovers would have loved to be reunited.

Role of La Fornarina in Raphael's artistic career

La Fornarina is considered one of the most beautiful female portraits of the Renaissance. This painting had a considerable impact on the life of Raphael, who found Margherita Luti an inexhaustible source of inspiration.

The influence of renowned painters such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo on Raphael's work can be clearly seen in the finesse of his strokes and the subtlety of his nuances. While his early canvases were mainly imbued with a certain idealism, it seems that the artist gradually sought to depict human beings and the objects before his eyes with greater fidelity. By trying his hand at the female portrait and erotic representation, Raphael demonstrates that he is capable of mastering different styles and techniques, proof of great versatility and an inventiveness that is always on the alert.

La Fornarina masterpiece that continues to fascinate

La Fornarina remains to this day one of Raphael's most admired and celebrated masterpieces. On the one hand, this work testifies to the remarkable talent of this major artist of the Italian Renaissance. On the other, it raises fascinating questions about the true identity of the young woman depicted, as well as the complex and mysterious nature of the relationship she had with the painter.

This painting also influenced many artists, from the Renaissance to the 19th century, who took up the theme of the beautiful Fornarina in their own works, and this masterpiece continues to fascinate with its enigmatic beauty and emotional charge, bearing witness to Raphael's genius and the eternal power of love.

This artwork is a painting from the renaissance period. It belongs to the italian renaissance style.

« La Fornarina » is kept at Palazzo Barberini - National Gallery of Ancient Art Rome, Italy.

Find the full description of La Fornarina by Raffaello on Wikipedia.