January 2026 – detail of Sistine Madonna by Raphael

Welcome to 2026! We’re happy to have you here. This month, we have chosen not just a painting, but a detail of one, by the forever-brilliant Raphael. During his artistic career, Raphael completed quite a few Madonnas, but this one stood out to us particularly because of the figures (angels) at the bottom. Looking idly above, they exist in a moment of curiosity and quiet. This, to us, is truly representative of January, a month that can feel like forever and also like a mere second. It’s a time of beginnings, of reflection, and of dreaming: looking forward to what’s to come, to what could happen.
Does that make sense?
We don’t know, I guess we just like this painting.
Love you,
Spyder.