Madonna of the Meadow; oil on panel; 1506
Depicts the Virgin Mary, baby Jesus, and John the Baptist in a desolate meadow. The red in Mary’s dress symbolizes Christ’s death and the blue represents the church.
St Catherine of Alexandria; oil on panel; 1508
Depicts Catherine of Alexandria leaning on a wheel, which is an allusion to the breaking wheel of her martyrdom.
The Miraculous Draught of Fishes
Depicts one of Jesus' miracles, in which he creates an abundance of fish for the fishers who have caught nothing after an entire night of fishing.
Sistine Madonna; oil on canvas; 1513-1514
Depicts the Virgin Mary and Jesus with untraditional looks of worry on their faces.
Portrait of Pope Julius II; oil on panel; 1511-1512
Depiction of Pope Julius II was unusual for its time: previous Papal portraits showed them frontally or kneeling in profile. It was also odd at this time for papal portraits to depict such evidently strong emotions. Julius was depressed because the city of Bologna had seceded from the papal states.
La Fornarina; oil on panel; 1518/1519
Depicts the supposed mistress of Raphael wearing an oriental style hat. The band on her left arm has RAPHAEL URBINAS written on it.
Galatea; fresco, 1512
Depicts the story of Galateo from Greek mythology. Galatea had fallen in love with tpeasant shepherd Acis. Her consort, one-eyed giant Polyphemus, seeing the two lovers together, threw a huge pillar and killed Acis. Galatea represents ideal beauty. Her gaze is directed upward to heaven, symbolizing Platonic love.