Raphael was in Florence between 1504 to 1508. This is one of the seventeen surviving paintings of that stay. One of the differences among Raphael’s Madonnas is the level of the Child's passiveness. In this particular painting, Jesus is fairly passive, compared to Raphael’s Madonna of Loreto or his Alba Madonna (detail) in which the Child is more active.Raphael was strongly influenced by his Umbrian master, Perugino. In Perugino’s own Madonna and Child, there is a remarkable similarity in the Virgin's gracefully turned head and wistful expression. The Small Cowper demonstrates the influence of Raphael’s Florentine rivals, Leonardo and Michelangelo. These influences can be seen in the broad, soft landscape in the background as well as in the figures’ interlocked gestures.
