La Donna Velata

Raphael, c. 1516
Istituto Museale della Soprintendenza Speciale per il Polo Museale Fiorentino

Portland Art Museum
October 23, 2009 – January 3, 2010

Arte Italia & The Nevada Museum of Art
January 9, 2010 – March 21 2010

Milwaukee Art Museum
March 26, 2010 – June 6, 2010

La Velata, also known as La Donna Velata or The Woman with the Veil, is one of the most important paintings of the High Renaissance. Its rich history is characterized by mystery and intrigue: one of the "rumors" among scholars is that the woman portrayed was Raffaello's lover Margherita Luta, who also appears as a model in other important works, such as La Fornarina. Another rumor suggests that this painting was Raphael’s answer to Leonardo’s Mona Lisa.