Raphael, The Alba Madonna

Raphael, The Alba Madonna, c. 1510, National Gallery in Washington

It's 500th anniversary of Raphael's death next month. The Alba Madonna was painted when Raphael was in his twenties. It bears the name of Dukes of Alba whose property it remained for almost 140 years. It ended up in Russia and Soviet Union sold it in secret to Andrew W. Mellon who donated it to the National Gallery in Washington.