Portrait of Young Woman with Unicorn by Raphael (Interpretation and Analysis)

Portrait of Young Woman with Unicorn
Source: Wikimedia Commons

When you hear the word Renaissance, several artists probably come to mind: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Today, Raphael Sanzio is known as one of the greatest artists of the Western tradition. His art is often praised for its beauty, balance, and clarity of style.

Like many Renaissance artists, Raphael strove to capture the idealized human form in his work. The philosophy of the Renaissance movement revolved around the idea of human grandeur, which is on full display in Renaissance art.

As such, Portrait of Young Woman with Unicorn presents an ideal woman by the standards of Raphael’s time. The piece features a beautiful young woman who is composed and graceful, a serious expression on her face. Behind her, we see a classic Italian loggia and a hazy landscape, while, in her arms, she holds a unicorn, a traditional symbol of purity and virginity.

While the identity of Raphael’s model is unknown, the presence of the unicorn seems to indicate that she is an unmarried maiden. The painting itself is unusual, as, according to my research, portraits of young women were usually commissioned on the occasion of their marriage. As I said, the symbol of the unicorn, combined with the woman’s lack of a wedding ring means that it was unlikely that she was married or engaged. That being said, x-rays of the painting have revealed that Raphael initially the woman with a dog, rather than a unicorn. The dog was traditionally seen as a symbol of marriage because of its association with fidelity. The iconography of the painting was further complicated when a later artist painted over some parts of the painting to add the symbols of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, leading many art historians to believe that the piece portrayed the saint. However, restoration of the painting in the 1930s revealed the truth. Although this clashing symbolism is a bit confusing, Raphael clearly aimed to portray his sitter as a paragon of virtue.

Regardless of the exact meaning of the painting, it is a beautiful example of Renaissance art. When gazing upon the serene face of the lady with the unicorn, it is easy to see why the art of the Renaissance is so widely loved and respected among students of art.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.