The 3rd International Tour Exhibition of Oriental Spiritual Painting
·Palazzo Bellini, Florence, Italy 
Countdown to Day 43 of 100!
The prelude is about to unfold!

She walks, listening to praises all the while,

Radiating the gentle light of blessing;

As if an elf from heaven has taken mortal form on earth.

— From Italian poet Dante

Raphael (1483–1520), Italian painter and architect.

Five hundred years ago, Raphael, the master of the Italian Renaissance, outlined the eternal artistic treasure The Sistine Madonna with his brush. This painting is not only the pinnacle of Raphael's Madonna images, but also the "epitome of the Renaissance beauty secrets".

Raphael's Madonnas are utterly distinct from medieval icon paintings. With maternal warmth and the image of youthful, vigorous beauty,he embodied the humanist ideals of the Renaissance.

To save humanity, the Madonna is forced to sacrifice her beloved son, sending him back to earth to fulfill the mission of bearing the cross and enduring the baptism of blood and fire.

As a masterpiece among Raphael's Madonna portraits, the figures in this painting are life-sized, renowned for their sweet and serene lyrical style. Originally placed on the church's shrine, it remained in the Sistine Chapel until 1574, hence its name.

Infected by his mother's emotion, the Christ Child seems to have foreseen his destined mission. The Pope, robed in golden brocade, is guiding the Madonna's path. Saint Barbara, as a woman, deeply understands the mother's inner torment—thus she turns her face aside, and though her expression is tranquil, the contradiction in her heart subtly emerges.

Beneath the Madonna's gown lies another surprise—the earliest "emoji".At the bottom of the painting, a pair of cherubs gaze up with wide eyes as the Madonna descends, their innocent faces furrowed with confusion, as if overwhelmed by curiosity and perplexity at the scene. Here, Raphael's ingenuity not only enriches the composition but also deepens its symbolic resonance.

Through masterful technique, Raphael employs chiaroscuro and color contrast to create depth and dimensionality. The Madonna's face is serene and beautiful, her smile radiating the warmth and resolve of maternal love. She knows her son is to be the world's savior, yet his sacrifice on the cross is essential for humanity's redemption. Against this backdrop, the Christ Child's gaze is notably solemn, as if silently shouldering his destiny.

Hailed as one of the greatest works in Western art history, The Sistine Madonna allows us to appreciate artistic mastery while feeling the maternal love and humanity that transcend time.

From the divine radiance of Raphael's The Sistine Madonna to the innocent charm of its cherubs, art has always struck a chord in our hearts with its unique allure.Now, as the baton of art passes through the currents of time, oil painter Mr. Wu Keyang will hold a solo exhibition in Florence—the cradle of the Renaissance—from July to August 2025.With exquisite brushwork, he will present the audience with a feast for the eyes and the soul. Art enthusiasts are cordially invited to Florence, the capital of art, to experience the cross-time collision and rebirth of artistic inspiration in this timeless city.

Appreciation of works