Madonna with the Fish (After Raphael) - Francesco Bartolozzi

A refined etching and engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi, reproducing Raphael's Madonna del Pesce with technical precision and classical balance.

This fine art print is an etching and engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi, a master of the stipple and line engraving techniques who spent much of his career in London. The work reproduces the composition of Raphael's original painting, the Madonna del Pesce, which depicts the Virgin Mary seated with the Christ Child, accompanied by the Archangel Raphael, Tobias, and Saint Jerome.

Bartolozzi demonstrates his technical precision through the use of varied line weights and cross-hatching to define the drapery of the figures and the architectural elements of the scene. The composition follows the pyramidal structure common in High Renaissance art, with the Virgin Mary at the apex. The Archangel Raphael presents the fish to the Christ Child, a reference to the apocryphal Book of Tobit, while Saint Jerome reads from a book on the right. A lion, the traditional attribute of Saint Jerome, is visible at the lower right corner.

Bartolozzi was a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, and his ability to translate the tonal qualities of oil paintings into the monochrome medium of printmaking made him one of the most sought-after engravers of the eighteenth century. This print captures the balanced proportions and serene expressions characteristic of the original Raphael work, while showcasing the disciplined hand of an engraver who helped define the aesthetic standards of his era. The print is executed on high-quality paper, preserving the fine details of the original copper plate. It offers a clear view of the narrative interaction between the figures, from the gentle gesture of the angel to the focused gaze of the saint. This piece is a representative example of the reproductive print tradition, where master engravers brought the works of the Old Masters to a wider audience through technical skill and careful interpretation.