Final answer:
Raphael's portraiture in the Small Cowper Madonna was influenced by Leonardo's use of pyramidal composition, linear perspective, and atmospheric sfumato technique, which highlighted stability, harmony, and brought greater depth to his figures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The style of portraiture used by Raphael in the Small Cowper Madonna that was likely influenced by Leonardo includes the pyramidal composition, the tilt of the head, and the application of linear perspective.
Raphael's Madonna Colonna demonstrates his adoption of these elements, creating an idealized Madonna figure with a loving gaze towards the child.
Inspired by Leonardo's use of atmospheric effects, dynamic poses, and the complex positioning of figures, Raphael integrates these characteristics to present figures with greater depth and realism. Leonardo's The Last Supper is a prime example of using one-point perspective to draw the viewer's attention, with the vanishing point located at Christ's head, something Raphael would have taken into account in his own works.
The pyramidal composition, often found in Leonardo's work, informs the structural foundation of Raphael's figures in the Small Cowper Madonna, implying a sense of stability and harmony.
Additionally, Raphael's study of Leonardo's sfumato technique allows him to achieve a similar atmospheric quality, softening outlines to create a more natural and three-dimensional appearance.
The deliberate adoption of these elements in Raphael's art highlights the significant impact of Leonardo's artistic innovations during the Renaissance period.