“Portrait of a Lady with a Unicorn” is a distinguished artwork by Raphael, an eminent figure of the High Renaissance art movement. Completed circa 1505 – 1506, the painting is rendered in oil on panel and measures 67.8 x 53 cm. It falls into the genre of portraiture and is exhibited in the Borghese Gallery in Rome, Italy.
The artwork captures a serene young lady who faces the viewer with a gentle, almost enigmatic expression. Her fair skin and softly rounded features are characteristic of Raphael’s delicate rendering. Her hair is swept back calmly and adorned with a modest jewel; it cascades down her shoulders in loose waves. She dons a dress with a fitted bodice, in hues of gold, crimson and white, reflecting the fashion of the period with its rich fabrics and detailed stitching.
The lady’s jewellery, a slender chain with a pendant, suggests a status of wealth or nobility, as does her poised demeanor. In her arms, she cradles a unicorn, a mythical creature that often symbolizes purity and grace in Renaissance iconography, though it also may have been a symbol of a love interest. The unicorn itself is rendered with a softness that matches the tenderness of the sitter’s grasp, highlighting the intimate bond between the subject and the creature.
In the background, a landscape stretches out beneath a blue sky, providing a sense of depth and context, though it remains secondary to the figure herself. The structural column to the left introduces a classical element, a nod to the antiquity that greatly influenced the Renaissance period. Overall, the artwork exudes the tranquility and balance that are hallmarks of Raphael’s portraits, epitomizing the High Renaissance ideals of harmony and idealized beauty.
