Raphael

Together with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, Italian painter and architect, Raphael, completes the trio of artists credited with the High Renaissance period. Recognized for his particular talent in bringing to life the modern ideals of Neoplatonism - a school of thought synthesizing current philosophies and spiritual elements with the humanitarian teaching of Plato – Raphael’s innate talent, combined with an extraordinary charisma, would secure both fame and fortune for this artist, as well as a highly revered place in the annals of art history.

Raffaelo Sanzio de Urbino, familiarly known both then and now as Raphael, was born in 1483 in the small, yet artistically rich Italian town of Urbino. His father, Giovanni Santi, was a respected court painter to the Duke of Urbino, and so Raphael’s own interest in art was encouraged from early on. His mother died in 1491, followed by the death of his father in 1494, making Raphael an orphan at the age of eleven. His father had remarried, however, and, though guardianship of the young Raphael went to an uncle, it is believed that he chose to spend much of his time during this period residing with his stepmother. The two also worked together at continuing Santi’s workshop, and Raphael would take over managing the studio during his teen years. An early self-portrait drawing by the artist during this phase showed an extraordinary talent.

Raphael studied under Umbrian painter, Perugrino, whose influence became quite visible in the young artist’s style. Raphael would go on to become Perugrino’s most famous student, by far, passing this influence on to other artists in his own capacity as teacher. At the height of his career, Raphael managed his own studio with as many as fifty combined pupils and assistants – the largest team of its kind in all of Italy.

Raphael led a fairly nomadic existence, traveling much of Northern Italy, though he appeared to favor Florence, at least for the years known as the “Florentine Period,” from about 1504 through 1508. Here, Raphael honed his signature ability to assimilate multiple influences into his own definitive, yet evolving style. It is also during this Florentine Period that Raphael would become acquainted by da Vinci, whose works he admired and imitated to a degree, as well as Michelangelo, with whom he bore a lifelong rivalry.

As Michelangelo moved away from court life, choosing instead to focus on his art, Raphael thrived both as a socialite as well as an artistic prodigy. Using a steady output of well-crafted Madonnas, along with his congeniality, Raphael became so famous that, by 1508, he had been summoned to Rome to decorate the pope’s private chambers.

With frescoes reflecting a mature style of painting, Raphael incorporated the splendor of his rival, Michelangelo, and went on to influence artists for centuries. Sixteenth century art historian, Giorgio Vasari, wrote of Raphael as a “very amorous man who was very fond of women, and he was always eager to serve them” and that he “pursued his amatory pleasures beyond all moderation.” Vasari continues, writing that Raphael died prematurely, at the age of thirty-seven, because he had been “even more immoderate than usual.” Vasari also mentioned that Raphael was to be made a cardinal. It matters not if this statement were true; the mere fact that it was even mentioned at all proves just how far mere artists had come via the High Renaissance trio of Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael.