And Leonardo da Vinci. He was a master of photorealistic depictions of emotion in great detail, bringing life to his paintings. Raphael is considered a perfectly “balanced” artist, and many of his paintings are rightfully recognized as the cornerstones of Renaissance art. Here are the 10 most famous paintings this great Italian artist.
Raphael. 10 iconic works.
Year of creation: 1504
Based on a painting of the same theme by Pietro Perugino, The Betrothal of the Virgin Mary depicts the heroine's marriage to Joseph. There is an evolution of Raphael's style, which is superior to Perugino. The temple in the background is drawn with such obvious care that it is surprising to imagine the difficulties the author had to go through at the time of writing.
Year of creation: 1506
The painting, depicting the famous legend of St. George slaying the dragon, is perhaps the most iconic of all works on this subject. She was one of the most popular exhibits of the Hermitage until she found her place in National Gallery Arts (Washington), where it remains one of the most popular works to this day.
Year of creation: 1515
The famous portrait of Donna Velata highlights the artist's amazing ability to paint with such exquisite perfection that the figure appears to be looking at the viewer, blurring the lines of reality. The woman's clothing once again shows Raphael's attention to detail, which fills the painting with even greater realism. All that is known about the main character of the film is that she was the author’s mistress.
Year of creation: 1510
Along with the frescoes Sistine Chapel, Raphael's frescoes in the Apostolic Palace are the quintessence of the High Renaissance in Rome. One of the four great works (also the School of Athens, Parnassus and Law) is a discourse on the sacrament. The painting of the church spans heaven and earth and is rightfully considered one of Raphael's most famous frescoes.
Parnassus. Raphael
Year of creation: 1515
One of the most significant portraits Renaissance depicts a friend of the artist, diplomat and humanist Castiglione, who is considered a typical example of the nobility of the period. The picture influenced such famous artists like Titian, Matisse and Rembrandt.
Year of creation: 1514
IN Greek mythology, the beautiful Neriad (spirit of the ocean) Garatea is the daughter of Poseidon. She had the misfortune of being married to the jealous one-eyed giant Polyphemus, who kills Akidas, son of Pan, after learning that his wife wanted to cheat on him. Instead of depicting this story, Raphael paints the apotheosis of Galatea. This work, perhaps, has no analogues in the skill of conveying the classical spirit of antiquity.
Year of creation: 1507
The artist's popularity at that time was not associated with his main works, but was built on the basis of numerous small paintings. They are still popular today, and one of the most famous such works is La Belle Gardener (Madonna in the Beautiful Garden). The painting shows a calm interaction between the Madonna in an informal pose with the young Christ and the young John the Baptist. This is a typical example of Raphael's painting.
Year of creation: 1520
Transfiguration - last picture, which was created by Raphael. It is divided into two logical parts. The upper half depicts Christ and the prophets Elijah and Moses on either side of him. In the lower fragment, the apostles unsuccessfully try to cure a boy of demonic possession. The painting can be interpreted as depicting the contrast between God and man, with purity and symmetry above and chaos and darkness below.
Year of creation: 1512
Raphael's masterpiece, as mentioned above, is one of four frescoes in the Apostolic Palace (Vatican). Critics and art historians believe that among the 21 single figures one can find all the significant philosophers of Greece. The embodiment of the spirit of the Renaissance - this is most likely the most famous painting Santi.
10 iconic works of Raphael updated: October 2, 2017 by: Gleb
Raphael Santi (1483-1520) is the greatest Italian artist, architect and graphic artist.
Childhood and adolescence
Raphael was born on March 14, 1483. This happened in eastern Italy in the small town of Urbino on the night of Good Friday. The child's father, Giovanni dei Santi, was engaged in poetry and painting; he was a gifted but undistinguished artist; he worked at the court of the Duke of Montefeltro.
The boy's mother, Margie Charla, died very early. Rafael was only 8 years old at the time. Didn't pass three years, how his father passed away in 1494. But Giovanni managed to direct the children in the right direction, and Raphael also received his first artistic experience in his workshop.
The boy was still very young when his father discovered his artistic talent and inclination for art and began to train his son in painting. And very soon he received an assistant in the person of young Raphael, the child was not even ten years old when he and his father painted pictures commissioned by the Urbino state. Raphael's very first work is considered to be the fresco "Madonna and Child", which he made together with his father.
First independent work Raphael had paintings commissioned for the church:
- “A banner with the image of the Holy Trinity” (the canvas was written in 1499-1500);
- "Coronation of St. Nicholas of Tolentino" (Santi worked on this altar image in 1500-1501).
Study in Perugia
In 1501, Santi entered Perugia to further study painting with the artist Pietro Perugino, who at that time occupied a leading position among Italian masters. The young student thoroughly studied the manner of his teacher, began to imitate it so decisively and accurately that soon copies of Raphael could not be distinguished from original paintings famous Perugino.
With the utmost skill, Santi completed the work for Madame Magdalena degli Oddi (not with paint on canvas, but with oil on wood). Now this creation is in the Church of San Francesco in Perugia, it depicts the Mother of God, Jesus Christ and the twelve apostles around the tomb, contemplating a heavenly vision.
Raphael's early works of that period also include paintings:
- "Three Graces";
- "Archangel Michael Slaying Satan";
- "A Knight's Dream"
- "The Sermon of Saint John the Baptist."
While studying in Perugia, Raphael often came home to the Urbino town of Citta de Castella, where, together with Italian artist Pinturicchio did commissioned works.
In 1502, Santi painted his very first “Madonna Solly”, then he painted them until the end of his life.
By 1504, the artist had already developed a certain style, his first significant work:
- “Betrothal of the Virgin Mary to Joseph”;
- "Portrait of Pietro Bembo";
- "Madonna Conestabile";
- "Saint George Slaying the Dragon";
- "Coronation of Mary".
Florentine period of life
In 1504, Raphael left Perugia. He headed to Florence, this move played into creative development the artist has a huge role. Here he began to carefully study the works of Bartolomeo della Porta, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and other Florentine painters. Santi thoroughly studied the mechanics and anatomy of human movements, complex angles and poses, and worked a lot with life.
In his paintings Florentine period the complex formulas of excited and dramatic human movements that Michelangelo had previously developed are already visible.
In 1507, Santi wrote another masterpiece, “Entombment.”
Raphael's popularity began to grow, he received many orders for portraits and images of saints.
But main theme His Florentine paintings included the Madonna and Child, and he painted about 20 paintings. Despite the standard scenes, the Madonna holding a baby in her arms or playing next to her with John the Baptist, all images are absolutely individual. A special maternal tenderness is visible in these works. Most likely, it was due to the fact that Raphael’s mother died very early, such a loss was deeply reflected in the artist’s soul; he did not receive all the affection and kindness from the woman who gave him life.
The Madonnas depicted in his paintings led to Raphael's success and fame. He received a huge number of orders on similar topics, during this period Santi wrote his best works:
- "Madonna Granduca";
- "Madonna under the canopy";
- "The Beautiful Gardener" (or "Madonna and Child and John the Baptist");
- "Madonna Terranuova";
- "Madonna with Carnations";
- "Madonna with the Goldfinch."
Santi spent four years in Florence, during which time he reached unique technology in painting and individuality in style. Many of his works of this period are considered the most beautiful and ideal in the history of world painting; he painted impeccable figures and faces.
In Florence, Santi met and became friends with Donato Bramante, who later played a significant role in the artist’s life.
Vatican
In 1508, Santi left Florence, he went to Rome, where he lived all his remaining years.
Here, with the help of his friend Bramante, Raphael was hired to work at the papal court as an official artist. He began to paint frescoes and brilliantly painted the Stanza della Segnatura with multi-figure compositions. Pope Julius II was pleased with his work. Santi had not yet completed one stanza when the Pope entrusted him with the painting of three more; Moreover, the painters who had already begun to paint them (Perugino and Signorelli) were suspended from work.
There were a lot of orders, and Santi took students to help him. He made the sketches himself, and his students helped him in painting.
In 1513, Julius II was replaced by Leo X, who also appreciated Raphael’s abilities and entrusted him with making cardboards for the Sistine Chapel, where Biblical scenes would be depicted. Leo X also commissioned the artist to create loggias that overlook the Vatican courtyard. Over the course of 5 years, these loggias of 13 arcades were built according to Santi’s ideas. Then the artist made sketches of Biblical scenes, and his students decorated the loggia with 52 frescoes.
In 1514, Raphael's friend and mentor Donato Bramante died. At this time, construction of St. Peter's Cathedral had just begun in Rome, and Santi was appointed to the position of chief architect. And a year later, in 1515, he was approved as the chief custodian of antiquities. It was Raphael, who succeeded the deceased Bramante, who completed the famous Vatican courtyard with loggias.
The workload in the Vatican was crazy, but at the same time Santi still managed to work on altar images on orders from churches. His painting “Transfiguration” is considered the most majestic and masterpiece.
Santi did not forget about his favorite topic - Madonna. During the time he lived in Rome, he created about 10 images:
- "Madonna in a Chair";
- "Madonna with the Fish";
- "Madonna Alba";
- "Madonna Foligno".
Here he created the pinnacle of his creativity - the Sistine Madonna.
This painting is considered phenomenal, no one will ever be able to unravel the secret of the great artist, how he managed to combine all the shades, shapes and lines into a single whole, that when looking at this picture there is only one irresistible desire - to continuously look into the sad eyes of Mary .
Most of Raphael's paintings were painted in religious themes. But his work also included portraiture. The following were especially beautifully created:
- "Portrait of Pope Julius II";
- "Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione";
- "Portrait of Bindo Altoviti";
- "Portrait of Leo X with Cardinals Giulio de' Medici and Luigi Rossi";
- "Portrait of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese."
Rafael himself last time captured in the painting “Self-Portrait with a Friend.”
A great lover of painting, the owner of the bank, Agostino Chigi, suggested that Santi decorate it with frescoes on the theme ancient mythology his residence outside the city, built on the banks of the Tiber. While working on this order, the artist created his best work, which is called the most beautiful of the beautiful, “The Triumph of Galatea.”
Raphael had a lot of students, however, none of them became an outstanding artist. Giulio Romano had the greatest talent, but his work was not appreciated by his contemporaries. Several paintings were painted by Giovanni Nanni. Perin del Vaga, who worked in Genoa and Florence, turned out to be a good artist. Francesco Penni had excellent potential, but he died very early.
Raphael's other talents
Santi proved himself to be no less a professional in architecture. The churches, chapels, and palazzos built according to his design were distinguished by their grace, rich façade plasticity, restrained noble forms and intimate interiors. Each palace he created had an individual, elegant appearance.
Santi was also involved in engravings and drawings. About 400 of his drawings have survived to this day. Raphael did not make the engravings themselves, but created sketches for them. Marcantonio Raimondi made many engravings based on his drawings. One of graphic works Santi, entitled "Head of a Young Apostle", was sold at Sotheby's in late 2012 for a record sum of £29,721,250 (this figure was twice the starting price).
Raphael loved poetry very much, he even wrote a little poetry himself.
Personal life
The great artist’s beloved was his model Margherita Luti, who received the nickname Fornarina.
The girl can be seen in two of his paintings “Donna Velata” and “Fornarina”, and he painted her figure when painting stanzas with frescoes.
Fornarina's father was a baker, they lived in Rome. When young Rafael arrived here, he met Fornarina completely by chance and immediately fell in love. For 3,000 gold pieces, he bought the girl from her father and took her to a villa specially rented for her.
Until the artist's death, Fornarina was his model and main love throughout their lives, for almost 12 years, they lived together, although it cannot be said that the young woman remained faithful to her Raphael. When Santi was painting the villa for the banker Agostino Chigi, Fornarina began an affair with the owner. She was also often not averse to having fun with Raphael's students.
About this beautiful story painted a picture of love French artist Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, it’s called “Raphael and Fornarina”.
Accurate further fate Fornarina after Raphael's death is unknown. There are two versions. According to one, she received a decent fortune under a will, led a dissolute life and became the most famous courtesan in Rome. According to the second version, she was tonsured a nun, where she soon died.
Death of an Artist
It is not known for certain why Rafael Santi died. Some sources claim that he felt ill after a stormy night in bed with Fornarina. Modern researchers of his life have suggested that the artist visited the excavations and fell ill with Roman fever, which led to his death.
Santi died on April 6, 1520, barely reaching the age of 37. His body was buried in the Pantheon, the tomb was made with the epitaph: "Here lies to rest great Raphael“During his life, nature was afraid of being defeated, and after his death, she was afraid of dying.”
There is a crater on the planet Mercury that is named after the great Italian Raphael Santi.
(1483-1520) is one of the brightest geniuses. He experienced a difficult childhood, losing his mother and father at an early age. However, then fate, without stint, gave him everything. what he wanted - numerous orders, enormous success and great fame, wealth and honor, universal love, including the love of women. Admiring admirers called him “divine.” However, it has long been noted that fate is capricious and unpredictable. From whom she showers too generously with gifts, she may suddenly turn away. This is exactly what happened to Raphael: in the prime of life and creativity, he unexpectedly died.
Raphael was an architect and painter. Following Bramante, he participated in the design and construction of the Cathedral of St. Peter, built the Chigi Chapel of the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome. However, it brought him unprecedented fame painting.
Unlike Leonardo, Raphael was completely of his time. There is nothing strange, mysterious or enigmatic in his works. Everything in them is clear and transparent, everything is beautiful and perfect. He's with greatest strength embodied the positive ideal of a wonderful person. A life-affirming principle reigns in his work.
The main theme of his work was the theme of Madonna, which he found an unsurpassed, ideal embodiment. It was to her that Raphael dedicated one of his early works - “Madonna Conestabile”, where Madonna is depicted with a book being leafed through by a baby. Already in this painting the important artistic principles great artist. Madonna is devoid of holiness; she expresses not only maternal love, but embodies the ideal of a beautiful person. Everything in the picture is marked by perfection: the composition. colors, figures, landscape.
This painting was followed by a whole series of variations on the same theme - “Madonna with the Goldfinch”, “The Beautiful Gardener”. “Madonna among the greenery”, “Madonna with beardless Joseph”, “Madonna under the canopy”. A. Benois defined these variations as “charming picturesque sonnets.” All of them elevate and idealize a person, glorify beauty, harmony and grace.
After a short break, when Raphael was busy with fresco paintings, he again returned to the theme of the Madonna. In some of her images, he seems to vary previously found models. These, in particular, are “Madonna Alba” and “Madonna in an Armchair”, the composition of which is subordinated to a round frame. At the same time, he creates new types of images of Madonna.
The pinnacle in the development of the theme of the Mother of God was “ Sistine Madonna" which has become a real hymn to the physical and spiritual perfection of man. Unlike all other Madonnas, the Sistine expresses an inexhaustible human meaning. It combines the earthly and the heavenly, the simple and the sublime, the close and the inaccessible. On her face you can read all human feelings: tenderness, timidity, anxiety, confidence, severity, dignity, greatness.
Chief among them, according to Winckelmann, are “noble simplicity and calm grandeur.” Measure, balance and harmony reign in the picture. It is distinguished by smooth and rounded lines, soft and melodic patterns, richness and richness of color. Madonna herself radiates energy and movement. With this work Raphael created the most sublime and poetic image Madonnas in the art of the Renaissance.
Raphael's outstanding works include the paintings of the personal papal chambers (stanzas) in the Vatican, dedicated to biblical stories, as well as philosophy, art and law.
The fresco "School of Athens" depicts a meeting of philosophers and scientists of Antiquity. In its center are the majestic figures of Plato and Aristotle, and on either side are ancient sages and scientists.
The fresco "Parnassus" represents Apollo and the Muses surrounded by the great poets of antiquity and the Italian Renaissance. All paintings are marked the highest skill composition, bright decorativeness, natural poses and gestures of the characters.
All of Raphael's paintings are a vivid reflection of his subtle nature. WITH early years he was endowed with a seasoned work ethic and a desire for spiritual and pure beauty. Therefore, in his works he tirelessly conveyed the enchanting forms of lofty ideas. Perhaps that is why such a huge number of works were born under the master’s brush, which convey the perfection of the surrounding world and its ideals. Probably, none of the artists of the Renaissance so skillfully and deeply revived the subjects of their paintings. At least remember a real masterpiece art of that time " Sistine Madonna" The image of a unique, wonderful vision appears unshakably and desired before the viewer. It seems to descend from the bluish depths of heaven and envelop those around with its majestic and noble golden radiance. Mary descends solemnly and boldly, holding her baby in her arms. Such paintings by Raphael are a vivid reflection of his sublime feelings and pure sincere emotions. Monumental forms, clear silhouettes, balanced composition - this is the whole author, his aspirations for high ideals and perfection.
On his canvases the master fell in love with feminine beauty, graceful grandeur and gentle charm of the heroines. It’s not for nothing that he wrote at least two of his works “ Three Graces" And " Cupid and the Graces"dedicated to the beautiful goddesses of Roman mythology - the ancient Greek Charites. Their soft forms and rich lines embodied the most joyful, kind and bright beginning of all life. Raphael tirelessly drew inspiration from them. He purposefully depicted goddesses naked in order to bring each viewer closer to virgin and tender nature. high art. Perhaps this is why the rest of the artist’s works vividly display divine power, sensual beauty, inextricably linked with the ideals of the surrounding world.
Text: Ksusha Kors
Biography
The era of the High Renaissance in Italy gave the world great artists: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian. Each of them embodied the spirit and ideals of the era in their work. The works of Leonardo clearly reflected cognitive purposefulness, the works of Michelangelo - the pathos and drama of the struggle for great perfection, Titian - cheerful free-thinking, Raphael glorifies the feelings of beauty and harmony.
Raphael (more precisely Raffaello Santi) was born April 6, 1483(according to other sources, March 28, 1483) in the family of the court artist and poet of the Duke of Urbino Giovanni Santi in the city of Urbino. Raphael's father was an educated man and it was he who instilled in his son a love of art. And Raphael received his first painting lessons from his father.
When Rafael was 8 years old, his mother died, and at the age of 11, after the death of his father, he was left an orphan.
The city of Urbino, where Raphael was born and raised, was brilliant in the middle of the 15th century art center, the center of humanistic culture in Italy. Young artist could get acquainted with wonderful works of art in the churches and palaces of Urbino, and the beneficial atmosphere of beauty and art awakened imagination, dreams, and nurtured artistic taste. Biographers and researchers of Raphael's work suggest that for the next 5-6 years he studied painting with mediocre Urbino masters Evangelista di Piandimeleto and Timoteo Viti.
IN 1500 year, Rafael Santi moved to Perugia to continue his education in the workshop of the most important Umbrian painter, Pietro Perugino (Vannucci). Perugino's contemplative and lyrical artistic style was close. First artistic compositions were performed by Raphael at the age of 17-19 " Three Graces», « Knight's Dream" and the famous " Madonna Conestabile" The theme of the Madonna is especially close to Raphael’s lyrical talent and it is no coincidence that it will remain one of the main ones in his work.
Raphael's Madonnas are usually depicted against the backdrop of landscapes, their faces breathing calm and love.
During the Peruginian period, the painter created the first monumental composition for the church - “ Mary's Betrothal", signifying new stage in his work. IN 1504 year Raphael moves to Florence. He lived in Florence for four years, occasionally traveling to Urbino, Perugia, and Bologna. In Florence, the artist becomes familiar with the artistic ideals of Renaissance art and becomes acquainted with the works of antiquity. At the same time, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo worked in Florence, creating cardboards for battle scenes at Palazzo Vecchiu.
Rafael studies antique art, makes sketches from the works of Donatello, from the compositions of Leonardo and Michelangelo. He draws a lot from life, depicts models naked, and strives to correctly convey the structure of the body, its movement, and plasticity. At the same time, he studies the laws of monumental composition.
Raphael's painting style is changing: it expresses plastic more strongly, forms are more generalized, compositions are more simple and strict. During this period of his work, the image of the Madonna becomes the main one. The fragile, dreamy Umbrian Madonnas were replaced by images of more earthly full-blooded ones, their inner world became more complex and emotionally rich.
Compositions depicting Madonnas and Children brought Raphael fame and popularity: “ Madonna del Granduca" (1505), " Madonna Tempi" (1508), " Madonna of Orleans», « Madonna Column" In each painting on this subject, the artist finds new nuances, artistic fantasies make them completely different, the images acquire greater freedom and movement. The landscapes surrounding the Mother of God are a world of serenity and idyll. This period of the painter, " Madonna artist" - the flowering of his lyrical talent.
The Florentine period of Raphael’s work ends with the monumental painting “ Entombment"(1507) and marks his transition to a monumental-heroic generalized style.
in autumn 1508 Raphael moves to Rome. At that time, at the invitation of Pope Julius II, people gathered in Rome best architects, sculptors, painters from all over Italy. Humanist scientists gathered around the papal court. Popes and powerful spiritual and secular rulers collected works of art and patronized science and the arts. In Rome, Raphael becomes a great master of monumental painting.
Pope Julius II commissioned Raphael to decorate the papal chambers in the Vatican Palace, the so-called stanzas (rooms), with paintings. Raphael worked on the frescoes of the Stanza for nine years - from 1508 to 1517. Raphael's frescoes became the embodiment of the humanistic dream of the Renaissance about the spiritual and physical perfection of man, his high calling and his creative possibilities. The themes of the frescoes that form a single cycle are the personification and glorification of Truth (Vero), Good, Good (Bene), Beauty, Beautiful (Bello). At the same time, these are, as it were, three interconnected spheres of human activity - intellectual, moral and aesthetic.
The theme of the fresco " Dispute» (« Dispute"") affirmation of the triumph of the highest truth (the truth of religious revelation), communion. On the opposite wall - best fresco Vatican Stanzas, Raphael's greatest creation " Athens school». « Athens school"symbolizes the rational search for truth by philosophy and science. IN " Athens school“The painter depicted a meeting of ancient thinkers and scientists.
Third fresco of Stanza della Segnatura " Parnassus“- the personification of the idea of Bello - Beauty, Beautiful. This fresco depicts Apollo surrounded by muses, inspiredly playing the viol; below are famous and anonymous poets, playwrights, prose writers, most of them ancient (Homer, Sappho, Alcaeus, Virgil, Dante, Petrarch...). Allegorical scene opposite " Parnassus", glorifies (Bene) Good, Good. This idea is personified by the figures of Wisdom, Measure and Strength, rhythmically united by the figures of little geniuses. Three of which symbolize virtues - Faith, Hope, Charity.
Raphael was engaged in monumental painting before recent years life. The surviving drawings of Raphael clearly reveal the originality creative method artist, preparation and implementation main task works. Main goal– this is the creation of a composition that is holistic and complete.
During his years of work in Rome, Raphael received many orders for portraits. The portraits he created are simple, strict in composition; the main, most significant, unique thing in a person’s appearance stands out: “ Portrait of a Cardinal», « Portrait of the writer Baldassare Castiglione"(Raphael's friend)…
And in Raphael’s easel paintings, the plot with the Madonna remains a constant theme: “ Madonna Alba" (1509), " Madonna in a chair"(1514-1515), altar paintings – « Madonna di Foligno"(1511-1512), " St. Cecilia"(1514).
The greatest creation of easel painting by Raphael " Sistine Madonna"(1513-1514). The royally majestic human intercessor descends to earth. The Madonna hugs little Christ to her, but her hugs are multi-meaning: they contain both love and parting - she gives him to people for suffering and torment. Madonna moves and is still. She remains in her sublime ideal world and goes into the earthly world. Mary eternally bears her son to people - the embodiment, symbol of the highest humanity, beauty and greatness of the sacrificial mother's love. Raphael created an image of the Mother of God that is understandable to everyone.
The last years of Raphael's life were devoted to different areas activities. IN 1514 In the year he was appointed to supervise the construction of St. Peter's Basilica. He supervised the progress of all construction and renovation work in the Vatican. He created architectural designs for the Church of Sant'Eliggio degli Orefici (1509), Palazzo Pandolfini in Florence, and Villa Madama.
IN 1515-1516 years, together with his students, he created cardboards for carpets intended for decoration in holidays Sistine Chapel.
The last work is “ Transfiguration"(1518-1520) - performed with significant participation of students and was completed by them after the death of the master.
Raphael's painting reflected the style, aesthetics and worldview of the era, the era of the High Renaissance. Raphael was born to express the ideals of the Renaissance, the dream of wonderful person and a wonderful world.
Raphael died at the age of 37 April 6, 1520. Great artist buried with full honors in the Pantheon. Raphael remained the pride of Italy and all humanity for centuries.
Rafael Santi (Italian: Raffaello Santi, Raffaello Sanzio, Rafael, Raffael da Urbino, Rafaelo; March 26 or 28, or April 6, 1483, Urbino - April 6, 1520, Rome) - a great Italian painter, graphic artist and architect, representative of the Umbrian school.
Rafael lost his parents early. The mother, Margie Charla, died in 1491, and the father, Giovanni Santi, died in 1494.
His father was an artist and poet at the court of the Duke of Urbino, and Raphael received his first experience as an artist in his father’s workshop. The earliest work is the Madonna and Child fresco, which is still in the house museum.
Among the first works are the Banner with the Image of the Holy Trinity (circa 1499-1500) and the altar image The Coronation of St. Nicholas of Tolentino" (1500-1501) for the church of Sant'Agostino in Città di Castello.
In 1501, Raphael came to the workshop of Pietro Perugino in Perugia, so the early works were made in the style of Perugino.
At this time, he often leaves Perugia for his home in Urbino, in Città di Castello, visits Siena together with Pinturicchio, and carries out a number of works on orders from Città di Castello and Perugia.
In 1502, the first Raphael Madonna appeared - “Madonna Solly”; Raphael would write Madonnas all his life.
The first paintings not painted on religious themes were “The Knight’s Dream” and “The Three Graces” (both around 1504).
Gradually, Raphael developed his own style and created his first masterpieces - “The Betrothal of the Virgin Mary to Joseph” (1504), “The Coronation of Mary” (circa 1504) for the Oddi altar.
In addition to large altar paintings, he painted small paintings: “Madonna Conestabile” (1502-1504), “St. George Slaying the Dragon” (circa 1504-1505) and portraits - “Portrait of Pietro Bembo” (1504-1506).
In 1504, in Urbino, he met Baldassar Castiglione.
At the end of 1504 he moved to Florence. Here he meets Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Bartolomeo della Porta and many others by Florentine masters. Carefully studies the painting techniques of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. A drawing by Raphael from the lost painting by Leonardo da Vinci “Leda and the Swan” and a drawing from “St. Matthew" Michelangelo. “...the techniques that he saw in the works of Leonardo and Michelangelo forced him to work even harder in order to extract from them unprecedented benefits for his art and his manner.”
The first order in Florence comes from Agnolo Doni for portraits of him and his wife, the latter painted by Raphael under the obvious impression of La Gioconda. It was for Agnolo Doni that Michelangelo Buonarroti created the tondo “Madonna Doni” at this time.
Raphael paints altar paintings “Madonna Enthroned with John the Baptist and Nicholas of Bari” (circa 1505), “Entombment” (1507) and portraits - “Lady with a Unicorn” (circa 1506-1507).
In 1507 he met Bramante.
Raphael's popularity is constantly growing, he receives many orders for images of saints - “The Holy Family with St. Elizabeth and John the Baptist" (circa 1506-1507). " Holy Family(Madonna with a beardless Joseph)" (1505-1507), "St. Catherine of Alexandria" (circa 1507-1508).
In Florence, Raphael created about 20 Madonnas. Although the plots are standard: the Madonna either holds the Child in her arms, or he plays next to John the Baptist, all Madonnas are individual and are distinguished by a special maternal charm (apparently early death mother left a deep imprint on Raphael’s soul).
Raphael's growing fame led to an increase in orders for Madonnas; he created the “Madonna of Granduca” (1505), “Madonna of the Carnations” (circa 1506), and “Madonna under the Canopy” (1506-1508). TO the best works This period includes the “Madonna of Terranuova” (1504-1505), “Madonna with the Goldfinch” (1506), “Madonna and Child and John the Baptist (The Beautiful Gardener)” (1507-1508).
In the second half of 1508, Raphael moved to Rome (where he would spend the rest of his life) and became, with the assistance of Bramante, official artist papal court. He was commissioned to fresco the Stanza della Segnatura. For this stanza, Raphael painted frescoes reflecting four types of human intellectual activity: theology, jurisprudence, poetry and philosophy - “Disputa” (1508-1509), “Wisdom, Temperance and Strength” (1511), and the most outstanding “Parnassus” (1509 -1510) and " Athens school"(1510-1511).
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