Featured Chromolithograph after Raphael's Madonna della seggiola

Hi, I recently purchased this small trimmed print that, at the time, I thought was a chromolithograph. But on closer inspection, there are a few oddities. Firstly, it's been attached to a convex piece of copper, which sits within a round brass Victorian frame. Secondly, there seems to be, what looks like, craquelure.

For a moment I wondered if it might be enamel but it's on trimmed card.

Do you think it's a chromolithograph or could it be something else?

 

Welcome Andy. Is the craquelure actually on the surface of the print? Or is the print showing the craquelure on the original painting? I'm not an expert, but have my mother's collection of chromoliths, so have seen many. This looks like one to me. We have folks who will know better.

 

Hi Bronwen, to be honest that’s exactly what I can’t work out. The print is smooth to touch but I’m unsure whether you could actually feel cracks so fine.

It seems like a lot of work for someone to replicate the cracks on the original. But maybe they did. Or perhaps there’s another technique to give the appearance of cracks to a chromo?

 

I think it's just a very accurate print. If the finish/ink on the paper had crazed like this, you would be able to feel it. Have never seen it happen, whereas with paintings this old...

As my avatar says, my thing is cameos:


Sorry to say, this one is not mine, but Raphael Madonnas were popular cameo subjects.

 

Thanks for clearing that up, Bronwen. I’m satisfied that it’s a trimmed chromo now. It’s just a very detailed one. It’s a shame that so many of these crafts have disappeared.

 

If the cracks were apparent on the original painting, wouldn't they be transferred to the surface during a photo and print process? Seems otherwise you'd be able to discern the crack on the surface..?

 

Exactly.

 

That did cross my mind but it’s before cameras were used. There would be some consistent dots if it was a camera/print process. This is done by hand. Also, it’s not an exact likeness of the original.

 

I saw you described the back, is the clasp attached? Want to show the back?

 

It’s all been put back together now, but it’s attached to metal that appears to be aged copper or brass. I’ve attached a similar colour.

 

And here’s the frame which seems to be late Victorian I think.

 

AndyShield, I did not realize it had no fastener on it when I asked to see the back.. Thank you.

 

OMG, am IN LOVE with that Cameo!!!!!! But probably because of my pin, which I know I have shown before.....but in case you missed it......

 

Your Mary is a lot sexier than the one on the cameo!

 

HaHa, thanks Bronwen.....Doesn't stop me loving that Cameo!!!!!!

BTW, @AndyShield, I also love your small framed print!!! Can you tell me the size of it?? It's obviously the subject matter that's got hold of me!!

 

Maybe we should get a group together to visit Firenze/Florence to see the original painting...

 

Now that I do like. Just to round out info on painting, it is also known as La Madonna della Sedia. My Italian is rudimentary, but suspect seggiola is a much grander term than sedia, the way siege (as in Siege Perilous) is much grander than seat.