The life and times of Raphael --------------------------------- Raphael, renowned master artist of the Italian High Renaissance, died on April 6, 1520 --------------------------------- Apr 6, 1483: Born Raffaello Sanzio in Urbino. Father, Giovanni Santi, is court painter to Duke of Urbino Giovanni teaches Raphael drawing and painting techniques (self portrait above). Growing up in court of Duke Guidobaldo da Montefeltro (below), Raphael learns excellent manners and social skills that will benefit him in later life when he mixes effortlessly in highest social circles --------------------------------- Oct 1491: Raphael’s mother, Mágia, dies in childbirth. Giovanni soon remarries --------------------------------- Aug 1494: Giovanni dies, leaving Raphael, aged 11, sole heir to his workshop. Studying under Perugino, he quickly surpasses his father’s success --------------------------------- 1500: Raphael completes apprenticeship, becoming “Master”. Works from this period include An Allegory (Vision of a Knight) (detail bottom left) --------------------------------- 1504-1508: Based in Florence, birthplace of High Renaissance, where influential contemporaries include Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti Inspired by Leonardo, Raphael experiments with painting Madonnas, including La Belle Jardinière (below). He also paints The Deposition (detail above right) --------------------------------- 1508: Aged 25, Raphael is invited to Rome by Pope Julius II who commissions him to paint series of monumental frescoes in papal apartments. In Stanza della Segnatura he creates arguably his most celebrated work, The School of Athens (above), which includes small self portrait by pillar on right Four rooms, collectively known as Stanze di Raffaello (Raphael Rooms) attract millions of visitors to Vatican Museums each year Raphael continues to paint Madonnas, including Madonna della Seggiola (right) --------------------------------- 1512: With growing interest in architecture, Raphael designs Chigi Chapel in Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome --------------------------------- 1514: Engaged to Maria Bibbiena, niece of Cardinal Bibbiena. Known for his womanising, he remained devoted to his mistress Margherita Luti, known as La Fornarina (below) On death of architect Donato Bramante, Pope Leo X appoints Raphael to continue redesign of St. Peter’s Basilica – where he amends Bramante’s plans --------------------------------- 1517: Purchases Palazzo Caprini – grand palace designed by Bramante --------------------------------- Apr 6, 1520: Raphael dies on his 37th birthday, from mystery illness. Bequeaths possessions to two studio assistants and leaves funds to care for Luti After grand funeral he is interred in Pantheon at his own request Most of his work on St Peter’s is altered or demolished to make way for Michelangelo’s designs --------------------------------- Sources: Biography, ThoughtCo, RaphaelSanzio.org Pictures: Wiki Commons © GRAPHIC NEWS