Seicento Painting Copy Appraisal

Madonna of the Chair (Madonna della Seggiola) Oil Painting Copy

This item is an oil-on-canvas reproduction of Raphael's famous 'Madonna della Seggiola' (Madonna of the Chair), set within a highly ornate, hand-carved baroque-style wooden frame. The painting depicts the Virgin Mary seated, tenderly embracing the infant Christ child, who gazes directly at the viewer. A notable departure from the original tondo (circular) format is the extension of the composition into a rectangular frame. The Mother and Child are dressed in traditional Renaissance-style garments, with the Virgin wearing a striped shawl and the child in a light-colored tunic. The skin tones are smoothly blended, characteristic of academic or devotional copying techniques from the 19th or early 20th century. The frame is a significant feature, constructed from heavy wood with deep relief carvings of acanthus scrolls, floral rosettes, and a central fleur-de-lis shell-style crest. The frame has a rich, medium-brown patina. Visible condition issues include some darkening to the background varnish and minor surface grime on the canvas. The frame shows some small chips and potential old repairs consistent with age. There is no visible signature on the front, suggesting it may be the work of a skilled but anonymous copyist. The overall quality suggests a high-end decorative piece, likely European in origin, intended for religious or classical interior ornamentation.