Self Portrait by Raphael.
While in Rome he would make a splash, charming his patrons and garnering commissions across the city.
After his death in 1520, his reputation only grew over time.
“Self Portrait” by Raphael. 1504-1506. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Today, Raphael’s work is still appreciated for its balance of line, color, and composition.
Scroll down to learn more about the prolific artist that is Raphael.
Learn more about the life and art of the Italian Renaissance painter Raphael.
“St. Catherine of Alexandria” by Raphael. 1507. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
St. Catherine of Alexandria by Raphael.
His mastery of composition and color continue to be influential to this day.
Portrait of Guidobaldo da Montefeltro by Raphael.
“Portrait of Guidobaldo da Montefeltro” by Raphael. c. 1506. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
But there were many towns across Italy that were also flourishing artistic centers thanks to small courts.
Under his rule, Urbino flourished as a center of culture and learning.
His father was a painter
Raphael had art in his blood.
“Wedding of the Virgin” by Raphael. 1504. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
His father, Giovanni Santi, was a court painter in Raphaels hometown.
As such, Raphael most likely spent his formative years in contact with the court.
Santi painted altarpieces and portraits for the court of Urbino, but died when Raphael was 11 years old.
Detail of Michelangelo as Heraclitus in Raphael’s “The School of Athens”
This left him an orphan, as his mother had passed when he was only eight years old.
Wedding of the Virgin by Raphael.
Raphaels early style closely mimics Perugino, but Raphael soon surpassed his master.
“La Fornarina” by Raphael. 1518-1519. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
However, he was soon passed over for Raphael, whose style the pope preferred.
At the same time, Michelangelo was working close by on theSistine Chapel ceiling.
Raphaels painting technique garnered much attention and praise, to the dismay of Michelangelo.
“The Fire in the Borgo” painted by the assistants of Raphael after his drawings. 1517. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
This sparked an intense rivalry between the artists, as Michelangelo thought that Raphael was copying him stylistically.
In turn, Raphael painted Michelangelo into theSchool of Athensas the sulking philosopher Heraclitus.
La Fornarina by Raphael.
“Pope Julius II” by Raphael. c. 1512. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Apparently, his charm also made him quite popular with the ladies.
Through Raphael never married, hes known to have had many lovers.
One of the most longstanding women in his life was Margherita Luti, a bakers daughter.
“The Transfiguration” by Raphael. 1520 (unfinished). (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
The Fire in the Borgo painted by the assistants of Raphael after his drawings.
Raphael ran a well-oiled machine, which helped him make advances on his most important commissions.
In fact, the Sala of Constantine at the Vatican was not even begun until after Raphael had died.
He died on his 37th birthday for reasons that arent entirely clear.
Historians have listed pneumonia, pulmonary disease, and exhaustion from being overworked as possible theories.
Whatever the reason, his early death was a tragedy.
The Transfiguration by Raphael.
1520 (unfinished).
Learn About the Life and Art of the Father of the Renaissance
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