A guided tour or audio guide gives you insight into the symbolism, perspective lines and Raphael’s influences, details you might miss on your own.
Painted in 1504 by the Italian master Raphael, The Marriage of the Virgin measures approximately 170 × 118 cm (oil on panel) and is housed in the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. The scene captures the apocryphal betrothal of Mary and Joseph where Mary is a consecrated young woman, and Joseph chosen by the blossoming staff.
Originally created for the Franciscan church of San Francesco in Città di Castello, it found its home in Milan in the early 19th century. Displayed in Room 24 of the Brera Gallery.
Included in the museum’s general admission ticket, no separate pass is required to see this masterpiece.
Painted in 1504 during the High Renaissance, it reflects humanist ideals, classical influence, and religious devotion, gaining popularity as a perfect blend of spiritual narrative and Renaissance innovation.
Raphael’s precise linear perspective guides the viewer from foreground to temple, creating three-dimensional depth. This mathematical mastery of space was groundbreaking and set new standards for Renaissance painting.
Joseph’s blossoming rod, the rejected suitor, and Mary’s poised acceptance convey layered themes of faith, virtue, divine selection, and human emotion, making the story visually rich and symbolically complex.
Meticulous brushwork, delicate color transitions, and balanced lighting integrate figures with architecture. Raphael’s skill elevates both form and expression, showcasing technical brilliance and harmony in every detail of the scene.
The centrally-planned temple reinforces spiritual order and compositional balance. Classical symmetry enhances the narrative, highlighting human participation in divine events while demonstrating Renaissance ideals of proportion and beauty.
The painting became a model for future artists, demonstrating how religious storytelling could be enriched through perspective, emotion, and compositional balance, securing its place as a reference in High Renaissance art.
Raphael’s serene yet expressive figures engage viewers emotionally, combining idealized beauty with dramatic storytelling. This harmony of emotion and aesthetics has captivated audiences for over five centuries.
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino) was born in 1483 and died in 1520. An Umbria‑born artist who became one of the greatest figures of the Italian High Renaissance, his work is characterised by idealised beauty, refined composition and emotional clarity.
Raphael’s early training under his father Giovanni and later exposure to Perugino helped him develop skills in perspective and structure, but his true genius emerges here, in works like The Marriage of the Virgin. This painting marks the moment he begins to define the graceful balance for which he became famous.
No, entry to this painting is included in the standard ticket for the Pinacoteca di Brera.
Yes, photography without flash is generally allowed, but conditions vary, check on entry.
Yes, the museum offers audio‑guides that provide commentary on this work and other major pieces.
Yes, it is a key work in the Raphael Room and is often highlighted in tours of the Umbrian school and High Renaissance.
Yes, Perugino’s version of the same theme is at Musée des Beaux‑Arts, Caen, and has been displayed side by side with Raphael’s for comparison.
While exact times are unknown, he completed it in 1504 and was just 21 years old at the time.
Pinacoteca di Brera Entry Tickets
Pinacoteca di Brera Guided Tour with Brera Neighborhood Walking Tour
Combo (Save 5%): Pinacoteca di Brera Entry with Milan Cathedral, Museum & Terraces Tickets
Combo (Save 5%): Pinacoteca di Brera + Sforza Castle Entry Tickets with Audio Guide