Foundations

Raphael

The Alba Madonna

c. 1510

Oil on panel transferred to canvas, diameter 94.5 cm. National Gallery of Art, Washington

A round picture, called a tondo, is "really hard" to fill comfortably, says Smarthistory's Beth Harris.

• Look at the Virgin's bent leg and elbow and John's fur garment: the National Gallery of Art notes how they echo the round edge.
• Smarthistory's Steven Zucker notes the figures "don't feel cramped."
• The circle, the museum adds, evokes the heavens.

Concepts

• Format and the Picture Plane

Image: National Gallery of Art, Washington · Open access, public domain (NGA)