Raphael Sanzio, Holy Family with Palm (panel)

Description

The composition of the Holy Family was carefully calibrated by Raphael, the fulcrum is represented by the palm tree, symbol of martyrdom, whose position is located, not surprisingly, between Jesus and Mary; we find an extraordinary botanical description of the tree, an amazing  correctness, given the rarity of such plants in Italy at the time. The lively interaction between the characters, the description of the grasses in the foreground and the aerial perspective of the landscape refer to the example of Leonardo da Vinci, so alive during Sanzio's stay in Florence. Colour, on the other hand, already has the characteristics of density and richness typical of the artist's mature works.