Madonna with the Fish

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Madonna with the Fish
Raffaello Sanzio - Sacra Famiglia con Rafael, Tobia e San Girolamo, o Vergine del pesce.jpg
Artist Raphael
Yearc. 1512–1514
Typeoil on board
Dimensions113 cm× 88 cm(44 in× 35 in)
Location Museo del Prado, Madrid

Madonna of the Fish, known also as Madonna with the Fish is a painting by the High Renaissance master Raphael, dated to 1512-14. It is now in the Museo del Prado, Madrid. Mary sits enthroned with Jesus on her knee. On one side is St. Jerome kneeling by the Lion; he is holding a book. On the other side the archangel Raphael is presenting at the foot of the throne the young Tobias, whom he formerly guided to the River Tigris, and who bears the miraculous fish whose heart, liver and gall were to restore his father's sight, and drive the demons from his bride.

Contents

Tobias with his fish was an early type of baptism. Raphael leading Tobias always expresses protection, and especially protection to the young. The picture is believed to have been painted around 1512–1514 to commemorate the introduction of Book of Tobit to the canonical books of the Roman Catholic Church. St. Jerome translated the Book of Tobit into Latin, which explains his presence on the right of Mary. [1]

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