Among the most famous portraits by the Italian artist Raphael (Raffaelo Sanzio da Urbino) is “La Velata.” This portrait of a regal woman has long been prized as one of his most masterful paintings and features a subject who appears in another of his famed works, “La Fornarina” (the Baker Woman).
This Nineteenth Century portrait miniature on card is a reproduction of that famous work. Set into a brass and burgundy mohair frame with an oval opening. On the reverse of this miniature, the title of the piece is written in pencil along with a series of other Italian words which are no longer decipherable followed by its place of origin—Florence.
Reproductions of famous artwork became quite popular in the Nineteenth Century. Sometimes sold as souvenirs of travels (as I would think this piece is), people satisfied their curiosity and appreciation for the art of other cultures by displaying these objects in their homes. It’s a tradition we continue to this day.
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