Five Nude Infants in Various Poses

Circle of Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) Italian

Not on view

Among the studies of children on this sheet, the figure portrayed seated upon a tree stump may represent the Christ Child, while the child holding a book may portray the infant Saint John. Although the subject remains unidentifiable, the tree stump, and the new branch which grows from it, are references to the Old and New Testament and were frequent symbols of rebirth and resurrection. This carefully executed drawing has long been associated with the circles of Perugino and his most gifted pupil, Raphael.

Five Nude Infants in Various Poses, Circle of Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) (Italian, Urbino 1483–1520 Rome), Metalpoint, traces of charcoal or black chalk, on  pale pinkish gray prepared paper.

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