#raphaello

The School of Athens (1509-1511) by Raphael

Hypatia of Alexandria emphasis

Raphaello Sanzio da Urbino (Italian, 1483-1520) • Self-portrait with a Friend • 1518–1520 • Musée du Louvre

Raphael (1483-1520)

Lady with Unicorn is a painting by Raphael, which art historians date to 1505 or 1506. The painting was originally oil on panel, and was transferred to canvas during conservation work in 1934. It was in the course of this work that overpainting was removed, revealing the unicorn, and removing the wheel, cloak, and palm frond that had been added by an unknown painter during the mid-17th century.

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the portrait of Maddalena Strozzi (now known as the “Lady with unicorn”) before the restoration of 1935 that brought to light the unicorn (medieval symbol of purity), Galleria Borghese, Rome.

A Dog Hidden Under the Hidden Unicorn

In 1959, further restoration work revealed that a dog was hidden under the unicorn; in this case, the overpainting had been done by Raphael himself.

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