Who was Raphael?
Raphael was an Italian painter and architect of the Italian High Renaissance. He left behind a huge collection of paintings for the world to admire. He was best-known for his works, ‘Madonna’ and ‘Palace of the Vatican’ in Rome.
Raphael’s full name was Raffaello Sanzio. He was born on April 6, 1483, in Italy, to Givonni Santi and Maria Ciaria. Urbino, where Raphael was born, was considered as one of the art centers of Italy, where many artists grew.
His father laws a Pinter; Raphael learned the basics of painting from him. By the age of eleven, he had lost both his parents. He was already working in his father’s workshop by this time. In his uncle’s care, he found an artistic forester father in Givanni’s associate, Timoteo Viti. Viti taught him initially; however, soon he realized that he himself could learn from the child.
Profession Achievements
Raphael gained reputation as one of the most skilled artists in Urbino. Raphael spent his significantly years a youth amongst the aristocracy, and eventually learned him popular amongst the sophisticated clients from higher classes and earned him a lot of commissions, as well as the nickname the “Prince of Painters”.
Over the next few years, Raphael enhanced his artiste’s skills. He began to paint at an early age. He joined Pietro Perugino’s workshop as a master painter at the age of 17. Because of his father’s connections, Raphael was exposed to works of the Italian masters of the time. Raphael gained success early in his career. When he was in his teens, he had produced an excellent self-portrait.
He was offered to paint a large altarpiece for the Baronic Chapel. It took him a year to complete this project. His next project was the ‘Mond Crucifixion’ an altarpiece in the Church of San Domenico. It was a panting of Jesus on the cross.
Some Terrific Works by Raphael
In 1508, he moved to Rome. Pope Julius II commissioned him to create a library. Raphael was also given a different room in the library to paint. ‘Room of the Signatura’ was a series of frescoes painted by him in the palace of the Vatican during this period. It included paintings like ‘The School of Athens’, ‘The Parnassus’ and ‘The Disputa’. For ‘The School of Athens’, he was recognized as one of the great artists of Italy. These paintings were based on themes like philosophy, faith, law and dramatic arts. He also painted many philosophers of Ancient Greece such as Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Pythagoras and more.
Raphael was now in demand all over the world. During 1514, he painted ‘The Mass at Bolsena’. His next most famous painting was ‘The Woman with the Veil’. The painting was of a beautiful traditional Roman woman. Next, he painted the ‘Christ Falling on the Way to Calvary’, a work which he completed in 1517.
Workshop of Raphael and Conclusion of his life
Raphael had set up a workshop where he taught art. Many of his students became famous artists in their own right. He designed various buildings and was considered to be one of the most important architects in Rome. In 1514, he worked on the basic of St Peter, chosen by Leo-x ‘The Transfiguration’ was Raphael’s; largest painting to canvas.
Raphael never got married. He died on 6th April, 1520 in Rome, Italy at the age of 37. With his paintings, Raphael showed variety, grace, strength and dignity. His artwork was the perfect example of Classical art and High Renaissance art. He belonged amongst the most prolific Renaissance artist and is still considered one of the greatest painters of all time.
Outstanding Masterpiece by Raphael
Madonna’ and ‘Palace of the Vatican
Mond Crucifixion
Room of the Signatura
The School of Athens
The Disputa
The School of Athens
Christ Falling on the Way to Calvary