[Hoffer Rand]

The images are from the bottom portion of a larger painting that is an altar piece called The Sistine Madonna that is placed over the tomb of Pope Julius II. The “cherubs” (the correct word is puti, one putu, two puti) are painted as leaning on the top of Julius’ coffin. Kind of ruins the whole cherubic image, doesn’t it?

[thackney]

The “cherubs” (the correct word is puti, one putu, two puti) are painted as leaning on the top of Julius’ coffin.

Probably not intended to be Julius' coffin.

The painting was commissioned in 1512 by Pope Julius II in honor of his late uncle, Pope Sixtus IV. Its destination was the Benedictine basilica San Sisto in Piacenza, a church with which the Rovere family had a long-standing relationship.

http://arthistory.about.com/od/famous_paintings/ss/The-Sistine-Madonna-By-Raphael.htm

[Safetgiver]

Hey! You’re tired, You’re tired.