Raphael's most enigmatic portrait

La Fornarina is one of the most celebrated and debated paintings of the Renaissance: a portrait of a woman attributed to Raffaello, kept at Palazzo Barberini, in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica. The young woman, bare-breasted and draped in a sheer veil, holds the viewer's gaze with an intimate, melancholy look that has captivated critics and visitors for centuries.

Who was the Fornarina?

Tradition identifies her as Margherita Luti, the daughter of a Trastevere baker (hence the nickname "Fornarina"), and Raffaello's beloved. There is no documentary proof, but the legend of the love between the great painter and the young Roman woman has only made the painting more famous. The veil, the modest gesture of her hand, and the backdrop of myrtle and laurel (plants tied to love) have long fueled this reading.

The secret of the bracelet

One of the most fascinating details is the bracelet the woman wears on her arm: it bears the signature "RAPHAEL VRBINAS" (Raphael of Urbino). An unusual signature, placed like a mark of belonging, almost to "claim" the bond between the artist and the woman in the portrait. It's one of the details visitors look for up close.

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The painting's mysteries

For centuries, La Fornarina has revolved around open questions:

  • How much is truly Raphael's hand? Some scholars suggest the workshop contributed, in particular Giulio Romano, but the principal attribution remains to Raffaello.
  • What do the details mean? The veil, the myrtle, the nearly hidden ring: every element has been read as a symbol of love, fidelity, or a secret marriage.

It's precisely these riddles that make the painting so magnetic.

Where to find it and how to see it

La Fornarina is on display at Palazzo Barberini, at Via delle Quattro Fontane 13, just steps from the Fontana di Trevi. You can see it with the standard ticket for the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica. For opening hours, prices, and free admission, see our guide to Palazzo Barberini tickets and opening hours.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Raphael's La Fornarina? At Palazzo Barberini, in Rome, in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, at Via delle Quattro Fontane 13, near the Fontana di Trevi.

Who is the woman in the Fornarina? Tradition identifies her as Margherita Luti, the daughter of a Trastevere baker and Raffaello's beloved, though there is no documentary proof.

Why is it called Fornarina? From the nickname of the woman in the portrait, the daughter of a baker ("fornarina"). The name wasn't given by Raffaello but took hold in later tradition.

What does the bracelet say? The bracelet on the woman's arm bears the signature "RAPHAEL VRBINAS," meaning Raphael of Urbino: an unusual and famous detail.

Can I see La Fornarina with the standard ticket? Yes, it is part of the permanent collection of Palazzo Barberini and can be seen with the standard admission ticket, barring temporary changes.

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Article #271 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026