Master and Margherita (Raphael Santi and Fornarina)

Master and Margherita. "She was a woman of low origin, but she filled my whole life. Her name is Fornarina. I am grateful to fate for every minute spent with her." Raphael Santi.

— Look Margherita! — Raphael Santi leaned his arm on the easel, — what do you think? — I think it's very beautiful, Maestro, — the girl standing behind him smiled and embraced the artist's shoulders, — this painting has some special light, it warms the soul. What is its name?

— "The Sistine Madonna". The name is not accidental, look here. On the left side of the painting, the old man pointing downwards is Pope Sixtus II, and on the right side - Saint Barbara. Below are two angels looking up, in the center of the canvas is the Mother of God, descending to earth and holding the baby Jesus in her arms.

— It's very beautiful, — whispered Margherita, — it's truly a masterpiece! I'm glad this work is finally finished. Now you can get a little rest.

— Fornarina, my dear, — the artist affectionately embraced her waist, — "The Sistine Madonna" is indeed finished, but rest is out of the question for now. I need to make a copy of the central figure.

— The Madonna? — the girl was surprised, — but why? Doesn't the canvas itself tell everything you wanted to say?

— Everything, — the Maestro smiled, — but not completely. Let me show you something. He opened a large chest standing by the wall, took out a canvas wrapped in cloth and carefully set it on another easel next to the first one.

— My God! — Fornarina covered her face with her hands, — how is this possible? She looked at the first easel with the image of the Mother of God holding a child, then looked at the second one and excitedly asked, — Maestro, explain to me, how is this possible?

— Do you recognize it? — Raphael Santi smiled.

— The Mother of God on the new canvas had Margherita's face.

— The Sistine Madonna is you! It's you, my love! You were my main model, you inspired me, you gave me strength.

— But why did you draw me with a child in my arms? It’s not just a copy of the central figure from the painting! The face is exactly like mine, but the child doesn't look like baby Jesus at all!

— Ah, — Raphael embraced the girl and they walked over to the open window, — Fornarina, my child! How I would like us to have children. My child with you! Look, — the artist pointed his hand, — look how beautiful Rome is! This city became my home, it gave me fame, wealth, honor, but you gave me the main thing - love! If it wasn't for you, there wouldn't be "The Sistine Madonna"!

— If only, — the girl sighed and wiped a tear from her cheek, — if only everything was so simple.

— You're right, — the Maestro's face darkened, — it's very difficult. My friend and patron Cardinal Bibbiena wants me to marry his niece Maria, and my refusal will cause a big scandal at the Pope's court, which I cannot allow. But I love you, Margherita, and I will not marry anyone else! I will figure something out. But look at this sky, — Raphael smiled and pointed to the setting sun, — look at these colors! This is Rome, Margherita!

— Maestro! — a loud knock on the door made the lovers jump back from the window.

— Enter, — Raphael turned, — who is there?

— Master, — the artist's assistant Agostino Chigi bowed, — forgive me for interrupting, but there is an urgent matter.

— What happened? — the Maestro approached the assistant.

— Master, the portrait of Pope Leo X with the cardinals is finished, and the customer is waiting for you in his palace.

— Ah, — Raphael waved his hand, — I'm so tired. What can he want?

— I don't know, Master, — Chigi spread his hands, — but he asked you to come immediately.

— I'll go, — the artist sighed and turned to Fornarina, — wait for me here, I'll be back soon.

— Everything is fine, — Margherita smiled, — I will wait for you. She went to the window and watched Raphael walk down the street towards the Vatican, surrounded by a crowd of fans and students. Then she approached the canvas with her portrait, stood there for a long time, gently touched her painted face, sighed, took a small box from the table, put it in her pocket and slowly left the workshop.

— Ah, Master Raphael! — Pope Leo X met the artist with a friendly smile, — I'm glad you came so quickly.

— Your Holiness, — Raphael bowed, — I am always at your service. Did you like the portrait?

— Of course, of course, — the Pope nodded, — it's a magnificent work, worthy of your talent. But I called you for another reason. The Pope went to the table, poured two glasses of wine, handed one to Raphael and said:

— Master, I'm very concerned about the situation around your upcoming wedding with Maria Bibbiena.

— Your Holiness, — Raphael frowned, — I respect Cardinal Bibbiena very much, but I am not ready for marriage yet.

— Master! — Leo X raised his hand, — we both know perfectly well the real reason for your reluctance. Her name is Margherita Luti, known as Fornarina.

— Yes, — the artist sighed, — I love her and I don't want to lie to anyone.

— I understand you perfectly, — the Pope smiled, — but you must understand me too. The scandal at the papal court is completely unnecessary. Therefore, I propose a compromise. You marry Maria, but your relationship with Fornarina remains your personal secret. This is a very common practice, Master, especially among people of our circle. The artist remained silent for a long time, thoughtfully looking into his glass, then raised his eyes to the Pope.

— Your Holiness, — he said firmly, — I am very grateful for your participation, but I cannot accept your proposal. I love Margherita and I will not share her with anyone.

— This is a very dangerous decision, Master, — Leo X frowned, — and you might regret it.

— Fornarina! — Raphael returned to his workshop late in the evening and called out to his beloved, — Fornarina! But the girl was nowhere to be found. The artist ran around all the rooms, looked into all the corners, but Margherita had disappeared. On the table lay a small note.

"My dear Master! I love you more than life, but I cannot allow you to ruin your career and life because of me. You must marry Maria Bibbiena, as your position and society demand. I'm leaving so as not to be a hindrance to you. Do not look for me, it is useless. I will always remember your love. Your Fornarina."

— Margherita! — Raphael fell onto the chair and buried his face in his hands, — how could you! He ran to the easel where the portrait of Fornarina stood, and looking at her beautiful face, burst into tears.

— Well, my friend, — the man in the black cloak with a sword smiled, — it's time to wake up! Raphael opened his eyes and saw the stranger sitting in the chair.

— Who are you? — the artist asked in surprise.

— You can call me Messire, — the guest replied, — I came to offer you a deal.

— A deal? — Raphael frowned, — what kind of deal?

— I know how much you suffer because of the loss of Fornarina, — Messire said, — and I can return her to you. But in return, you must fulfill one condition.

— What condition? — Raphael jumped up from the bed.

— You must forget about your talent, your art, your fame, — Messire said seriously, — you will become an ordinary person, with an ordinary profession, but you will live a long and happy life with your beloved Fornarina. Choose!

— Choose? — Raphael thoughtfully looked at the guest, — between art and love?

— Exactly, — Messire smiled, — you have until morning to think. In the morning, you will give me your answer on this piece of paper. He handed the artist a sheet of paper and a pencil, and disappeared into thin air.

The next morning, Messire found Raphael sleeping at the table. In front of him lay a sheet of paper, on which a beautiful woman with a baby in her arms was drawn. It was Fornarina.

— Ah, — Messire smiled sadly, — another masterpiece. They are all the same! He picked up the drawing, carefully folded it and disappeared.

Raphael Santi died shortly after this at the age of 37, having never married Maria Bibbiena, nor having forgotten his Fornarina. His last request was to be buried in the Pantheon next to his beloved, but the church authorities did not allow it. Fornarina herself retired to a convent, where she lived out the rest of her days, keeping the memory of the great Master. And the world received his brilliant works, immortalizing the beauty and love of the great artist.