Raphael in Baltimore

I was so surprised that in the heart of Baltimore- Charm City- there lives a beautiful Renaissance painting by Raphael at The Walters Museum. I had no idea! It definitely was a treat and brought back great memories of living in Rome and being able to discover works of art.

It's a round painting depicting the Virgin and Child. On both sides are angels and flaming candelabra in the bankground. This was the first Madonna painted by Raphael to enter a North American collection. Wow!!!

And I can't seem to get away from popes. In the same gallery at the museum is a portrait of Pope Pius V by Bartolomeo Passerotti (1566- Oil on canvas).