Raphael

Key facts

Lived

1483–1520, Holy Roman Empire

Movement

• Renaissance

Works held in

35 museums^[1]

• God the Father Blessing among the Angels

  Louvre

  Paris, France

  17 works

  

  Museum details

Plan your visit to see Raphael →

• Did raphael paint the sistine chapel?+

  The frescoes in the chapel have often been attributed to Raphael; however, they were executed between 1513 and 1520. They include the Martyrdom of St Cecilia, also called the Martyrdom of St Felicita, and the Eternal Father Blessing the World.
• Raphael artist style?+

  Raphael's compositions were highly appreciated for his mastery of representing the real world within the sphere of the ideal. His greatness rested in the sublime synthesis of the naturalistic representation of mankind and the perfect proportions of the forms of classical art.
• What is raphael famous for painting?+

  By 1501, Raphael was a master in his own right. He settled in Florence and became known for his paintings of serene and natural-looking young Madonnas in idealised backgrounds.
• What is Raphael's most famous work?+

  Raphael produced many celebrated paintings and frescoes; pinpointing a single 'most famous' work is difficult. Two frescoes in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace are frequently cited as his greatest achievements: *The School of Athens* and *The Transfiguration*. *The School of Athens*, created between 1509 and 1511, is part of a series of frescoes in the Stanze di Raffaello. It represents Philosophy, one of four branches of knowledge depicted in the room. The fresco shows Plato's Academy, embodying the classical spirit of the High Renaissance. *The Transfiguration*, Raphael's last painting, was executed circa 1517-1520. It merges two Gospel episodes into one scene, with the transfigured Christ appearing above and a boy presented to the disciples below. The painting employs colour and modelling to distinguish between the earthly and heavenly realms. Some parts were completed by members of Raphael's workshop, including Giulio Romano.
• What should I know about Raphael's prints?+

  Raphael showed a keen interest in printmaking. He entrusted his drawings to gifted engravers of his age, including Marcantonio Raimondi, Agostino Veneziano, and Ugo da Carpi. Raphael supplied designs to sculptors, weavers, mosaic makers, and ceramicists. His inventions served as a constant source of inspiration for contemporary sculptors Andrea Contucci, Il Sansovino, and Jacopo Sansovino. Raphael engaged in intellectual exchange with architects of renown such as Giuliano da Sangallo, Donato Bramante, and Fra’ Giovanni Giocondo. A large body of Raphael’s drawings has survived and is now principally housed in public collections. His output and working methods suggest that the graphic corpus must have been even larger. Many of the drawings are the result of ceaseless experimentation on the part of the master, who would frequently sketch on both the recto and verso of a sheet. Even the least compositionally complex of pictures would undergo progressive iterations in which the artist tested the composition and studied the figures time and time again, passing from one medium to another.
• What style or movement did Raphael belong to?+

  Raphael is recognised as one of the three most important Italian Renaissance masters. Born Raffaello Sanzio, he received early training from his father, who was a painter at the court of the Duke of Urbino. He later worked as an assistant to Perugino in Perugia around 1500. By 1501, Raphael had become a master in his own right. He settled in Florence, where he became known for his serene Madonnas set in idealised settings. During this time, Leonardo and Michelangelo dominated the art world. Raphael learned from their understanding of anatomy, perspective, composition, and shading. From this, he developed his own sophisticated understanding of colour, line and texture. In 1508, Pope Julius II summoned Raphael to Rome to paint frescoes in the Vatican Palace. These works, including scenes personifying Theology, Philosophy, Poetry, and Justice, earned him a reputation for replicating textures and natural poses. His style set a precedent for Western art for the next 400 years. His international reputation rests on frescoes in the Vatican, such as the *Disputation*, the *School of Athens*, *Parnassus*, and *Prudence, Force, and Moderation*.
• What techniques or materials did Raphael use?+

  Raphael's artistic process involved several steps and materials. He began by drawing figures from life, favouring red chalk. These drawings were then transferred, using a grid system, onto canvas or cardboard. The cardboard was laid over paper and pricked with a needle to create an outline. This outline was then pounced with charcoal onto a wall or panel. Brushstrokes fixed the drawing, adding precision and corrections. Raphael himself generally applied the final, important touches, sometimes modifying the original composition. For frescoes, the mason would spread mortar early in the morning, following Raphael's instructions from the previous evening. The pounced drawings were transferred onto the fresh mortar using an iron pin. Raphael would then begin painting, starting with the highlights. Colours were kept in small pots. He aimed to paint all parts of a figure or group of the same 'value' in one sitting, to avoid tonal breaks. He worked in oil on wood panels, such as for *The Cardinal* (1510-1511) and *Portrait of Tommaso ‘Fedra’ Inghirami* (c. 1510).
• What was Raphael known for?+

  Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520), known as Raphael, is recognised as one of the three most revered Italian Renaissance masters. Although not an inventor like Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo, Raphael is known for the grace, beauty, emotional depth, and sensitive expression found throughout his art. Around 1500, Raphael assisted the master Perugino in Perugia. By 1501, he had become a master in his own right and settled in Florence, where Leonardo and Michelangelo dominated the art world. He became known for his serene, natural-looking Madonnas set in idealised backgrounds. Contemporaries noted his outstanding drawing and painting skills, handsome appearance, good manners, and courteous behaviour. Although Leonardo and Michelangelo accused him of copying, Raphael admitted to learning from their understanding of anatomy, perspective, composition, and softly blended shadows. He developed his own sophisticated understanding of colour, line, and subtle textures. In 1508, Pope Julius II summoned Raphael to Rome to paint frescoes in the Vatican Palace. Although only 26, Raphael created imposing scenes personifying Theology, Philosophy, Poetry, and Justice. His work earned him a reputation for replicating textures, natural poses, and sensuous flesh. Besides these monumental works, he also executed easel paintings, including religious works and portraits. His style set a precedent for Western art for the next 400 years.
• When did raphael die?+

  Raphael died in 1520 at the age of 37.
• When did raphael live?+

  Raffaello Santi or Sanzio, known as Raphael, was born in Urbino in 1483. Raphael died in 1520 on his birthday.
• When did Raphael live and work?+

  Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio) was born in Urbino in 1483. He died in 1520. His father, Giovanni Santi, was a painter and poet at the court of Federico da Montefeltro. Raphael was influenced by the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Around 1495, Raphael became a student of Perugino in Perugia. His first known work is the Saint Nicholas of Tolentino for the Baronci Altarpiece at the Basilica of Sant’Agostino, completed in 1501. Between 1504 and 1508, Raphael spent time in Florence. During this period, he created many paintings of the Virgin Mary, including The Madonna of the Goldfinch (1506) and The Madonna of the Meadow (1505-1506). In 1508, Raphael moved to Rome, where he remained for the rest of his life. Pope Julius II commissioned him to decorate the Stanza della Segnatura at the Vatican. This project includes two significant works: The School of Athens and the Disputation over the Most Holy Sacrament.
• Where can i see raphael paintings?+

  Raphael's works can be seen at Museum of Fine Arts of Rennes, Vatican Museums, Uffizi Gallery, and 2 other museums worldwide.