The Bridgewater Madonna & Angel Singing (A Pair of 19th-Century Miniatures)

The Bridgewater Madonna (After Raphael)

• Artist: After Raphael (Italian, 1483–1520)
• Title: The Bridgewater Madonna
• Medium: Miniature painting on paper or vellum
• Dimensions: Tondo, 8 cm diameter
• Provenance: Private Collection, UK

This exquisite miniature is a finely detailed reproduction of Raphael’s The Bridgewater Madonna, originally painted around 1507 and now housed in the National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh. Executed in reverse, it captures the Madonna’s serene and tender embrace of the Christ Child—an iconic representation of Raphael’s mastery in composition and emotional depth.

The artist’s delicate brushwork, soft modeling of forms, and harmonious use of color reflect the refined techniques of the High Renaissance. Miniatures of this nature were often prized as devotional objects or collector’s items, demonstrating the continued admiration for Raphael’s art and Renaissance ideals of beauty and spirituality.

Angel Singing (Italian School, Early-Mid 19th Century)

• Artist: Italian School, early-mid 19th century
• Title: Angel Singing
• Medium: Miniature painting on paper or vellum
• Dimensions: 7.2 x 6 cm

This beautifully executed miniature painting depicts a singing angel, radiating elegance and divine serenity. Representative of the early to mid-19th-century Italian School, the piece showcases meticulous detailing in the angel’s delicate features, flowing robes, and expressive gesture.

With a soft and luminous color palette, the painting captures an ethereal presence, blending elements of Renaissance and Baroque influences. Religious miniatures such as this were often created for devotional purposes or as cherished keepsakes, reflecting the enduring significance of sacred art in the 19th century.

A Harmonious Pair
Both miniatures exemplify a tradition of masterful small-scale painting, celebrating themes of divine grace and spiritual devotion. The pairing of The Bridgewater Madonna with Angel Singing offers a complementary study in religious iconography, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship and reverence for classical artistic traditions that defined 19th-century miniature painting.