The Madonna of the Pinks Quiz | Art

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which "hero in a halfshell" is usually credited with creating "The Madonna of the Pinks" (c. 1506-1507)?

Answer: Raphael

Raphael, or Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (to give him his full name in Italian) (1483-1520) was a significant artist of the Renaissance. He was a contemporary of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, but lived after the death of Donato di Niccol� di Betto Bardi (Donatello).

Much of his best work, including "The School of Athens" (c. 1509-1511) is associated with the Vatican. Renaissance scholar Nicholas Penny argued in 1991 that the painting was an original by Raphael. Previous scholars usually thought that the painting hanging in the National Gallery was a copy of a lost original by Raphael.

Other scholars have challenged Penny's conclusions about the painting being a Raphael original, but say that it is at least a copy of a Raphael.

2. Seeing the "The Madonna of the Pinks" on a computer screen is one thing but seeing it in person is another. Where would you visit to see the original painting?

Answer: National Gallery (London)

The National Gallery is located in central London and was founded in 1824. The collection of over 2,300 paintings focuses on the period from the 13th century to 1900. "The Madonna of the Pinks" is in Room 61 of the Gallery and was acquired in 2004.

3. In artwork, the term "Madonna" usually refers to Mary, mother of Jesus. In the painting "The Madonna of the Pinks", who is in the picture with Mary?

Answer: Jesus alone

The painting appears to be set in a bed chamber. The seated Mary has the infant Jesus upon her lap. A window behind the two provides some illumination in the room. The two are looking at each other as Mary gives Jesus flowers. It is believed that Raphael modelled his painting on "Benois Madonna" (c. 1478) by Leonardo da Vinci.

4. The original name of "The Madonna of the Pinks" in Italian was "La Madonna dei garofani". Which type of flower is referred to in the original title?

Answer: Carnation

A more exact translation of the title would be "Madonna of the Carnation". In the painting, both Mary and Jesus are each holding several carnations. Carnations are a term used for several species of flowers in the genus Dianthus ("Flower of God"). In Christian tradition, carnations are associated with Jesus's Passion (or death). Carnations were said to have first appeared when Mary wept at Jesus's Crucifixion.

5. In terms of size, to which object is "The Madonna of the Pinks" roughly comparable?

Answer: A sheet of computer paper (about 12 inches by 9 inches)

The dimensions of the painting are about 11 inches by 8.8 inches. Since it is only a bit larger than a Book of Hours (a medieval prayer book), it is suggested that the painting was initially used as a portable devotional aid. It is believed that the painting was originally commissioned by a member of a wealthy Umbrian family.

6. What type of medium was used to paint "The Madonna of the Pinks"?

Answer: Oil

"The Madonna of the Pinks" is an oil painting on yew. In oil painting, a drying oil (such as walnut oil or linseed oil) is mixed with the pigments. It is thought that oil painting was first done in Afghanistan and spread westward into Europe during the Middle Ages. Compared to some of Raphael's other works, "The Madonna of the Pinks" uses a more limited palette of colors, including ultramarine, azurite, lead-tin yellow, malachite and verdigris.

7. In the painting "The Madonna of the Pinks", there is an open window looking outside. What is the main feature that can be seen outside?

Answer: A ruined building

Blues and greens are common colors in the view of the outside. The ruined building is the focus of the shot. It is believed that the building represents the fall of Paganism with Jesus's coming. It is thought that this painting was one of the last Madonnas (he painted several) that Raphael painted.

8. The history of a painting's ownership can be interesting. Which individual held "The Madonna of the Pinks" privately before selling it to the art museum early in the 21st century?

Answer: The Duke of Northumberland

Part of the Camuccini collection in Rome in the 1800s, "The Madonna of the Pinks" was purchased along with the rest of the collection by Algernon, 4th Duke of Northumberland, in 1853. In 2002, the Duke's descendant intended to sell the painting to the Getty Center in Los Angeles, CA, for 22 million pounds sterling.

The National Gallery, which had the right to match the offer, was able to secure funding and purchase the painting.

9. In the painting "Madonna of the Pinks", the right ear of Mary can be seen. It is pierced but bears no earring. What does this symbolize?

Answer: Mary's Christianity

Art critic Robert Cumming suggests that Jewish women in Renaissance Italy may have been required to wear earrings as a symbol of their Jewishness. The removal of the earring may represent the idea of Mary transitioning from considering herself Jewish to considering herself Christian. It provides an interesting comparison with the ruined building in the window.

10. Where do we think the artist was living at the time he created "The Madonna of the Pinks"?

Answer: Florence

Raphael was born in the Duchy of Urbino. He lived in Florence for about four years (1504-1508). While in Rome, he would have interacted with Leonardo da Vinci who was a generation older than Raphael and would influence Raphael's artistic style. In addition to "The Madonna of the Pinks", there are other examples of Raphael's art that appears to have been influenced by Leonardo's works.

After Raphael left Florence and moved to Rome, he would have encountered Michelangelo, who was only about eight years older. Michelangelo, however, would distrust and dislike Raphael, perhaps because he felt the same way about Leonardo.

Source: Author bernie73

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The Madonna of the Pinks Trivia Quiz

This quiz 10 questions about the painting "The Madonna of the Pinks". I encourage you to view an image of the painting online and read a bit about it before you take the quiz.

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