RAFFAELLO Sanzio
(b. 1483, Urbino, d. 1520, Roma)

Madonna with Beardless St Joseph

1506
Tempera on canvas transferred from wood, 74 x 57 cm
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg

One of Raphael's version of the Holy Family. Its pecularity is the beardless representation of the traditionally bearded St Joseph. It can be assumed that this is one of the two paintings, mentioned by Vasari, which were executed in Urbino for Guidobaldo da Montrefeltro.