"I have a group of GCSE English students who absolutely rave over your site and constantly tell me how useful they have found it to be. Trust me it has inspired them."
The Sistine Madonna in the Royal Gallery at Dresden, Saxony
- Words:
- 745
- Submitted:
- Sat Mar 26 2005

... The most beautiful picture in the world is the Sistine Madonna in the Royal Gallery at Dresden, Saxony. It was painted by Raphael as an altar-piece for a church in Piacenza, Italy. In a far corner of the great Palace of Art it is now placed, probably to remain until the colors shall fade. It is the only picture in the room. The figures are of life size. When that room is entered all voices are hushed, and all merriment silenced. The place is as holy as a church. In the centre of the canvas is the Virgin Mother with a young, almost girlish face or surpassing loveliness. In her eyes affection and wonder are blended, and the features and the figure are the most spiritual and beautiful in the world's art. I have wondered where Raphael found that face. It is not voluptuous like the Italian, nor heavy like














