Raphael painted many, many pictures of the Madonna and Child and so often in them he showed the Child closely enfolded in His mother's arms or perhaps standing by her knees with her hands hovering protectively near Him. What is really unusual in this painting is that the baby is twisting vigorously AWAY from His mother and with one hand is pulling at her veil. Thus His whole body language seems almost one of defiance and then, then, he turns his head and looks back and upwards at her. That look, that gaze between mother and son is heartstopping in its intensity and one senses that Raphael is giving us so much more than a charming mother and Child. There is a feeling of mystery and poignancy in this painting and layers of meaning.