The Madonna of the Meadow (1506), 113×88 cm, oil on panel, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna. This masterpiece by the young Raphael, completed after his Florence period at age 23, marks his artistic zenith. Inspired by da Vinci’s St. Anne sketches, within its most perfect and stable pyramidal composition, the benevolent Virgin Mary—resembling the ideal Greek Venus—displays classical beauty. Her hair is tied back, her face a pretty oval, her shoulders perfect; clad in contrasting red and blue robes, she sits in a lush natural theater, exuding tranquility. She gracefully forms a triangular rhythm with Jesus and John. The Virgin gently holds the innocent child (Jesus), who nestles beside her, facing the kneeling child holding a cross (John the Baptist). Under the Virgin’s warm gaze in this landscape of blue skies, white clouds, lakes, and mountains, the two children exchange glances, creating a unique scene of contemplation. Through perfect form, solid volume, bright light and shadow, and emotional color, it constructs an outstanding image. A striking feature of Raphael’s Madonnas is their embodiment of classical perfection: poetic, expressive, lively, concise yet powerful composition, warm, benevolent, elegant, dignified, healthy, pure-hearted, and overflowing with happiness like earthly mothers.