Sistine Madonna was painted in 1512 and was commissioned by Pope Julius II as a gift to a monastery near Milan known as San Sisto in Piacenza.

The Renaissance period was full of some of the most gifted painters in history and the realism and level of detail of Raphael is nearly unable to be replicated. 

The painting depicts the Virgin Mary, known as the Madonna, in the center of the painting holding the infant Jesus. On either side of the Virgin Mary are Saint Sixtus and Saint Barbara who are intently gazing upon the child Christ.

The painting has long been praised for its beauty and the gentle, caring nature while each figure in the painting was done.

Perhaps two of the most easily-recognizable figures in the painting are the two cherubs featured staring innocently at Mary holding Jesus from beneath her feet.