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One of the most important and talented artists of the Italian Renaissance, Raphael (or Raffaello Sanzio, or Rafael Sanzi or Santi) was born in Urbino and took his earliest lessons in art from his father. He was apprenticed to Perugino in Perugia, then moved on to Florence and Rome. Raphael is noted for his Madonnas, and is considered by many to have produced some of the world's most beautiful paintings. He was also an architect, designing the church of Sant' Eligio degli Orefici and working on the basilica of St. Peter's.
Raphael was as handsome and charming as he was talented, and he became so popular that he acquired the nickname "the prince of painters." He gained the respect and patronage of Pope Julius II and spent the last 12 years of his life in Rome. Among his prolific works were projects for the pontiff, including a cycle of frescoes for a suite in the pope's personal living quarters.
Raphael lived life to the full, but died young, on his 37th birthday. His funeral mass was celebrated at the Vatican and he was buried in the Pantheon.
Important Dates
Born: April 6, 1483
Died: April 6, 1520
Image
Raphael
This public-domain graphic from the 1885 publication The Hundred Greatest Men is based on Raphael's own self-portrait and is free for your use. Part of the Medieval and Renaissance History Portrait Gallery here at this site.
On the Web
In Print
Related Resources
Art History
Excellent resource for art history of all eras, brought to you by About Guide Shelley Esaak.Art & Artists
Sculpture, icons, paintings, stained glass, and the artists that produced it in Medieval and Renaissance times. A page of Clip Art links is also available.Medieval Italy
Sites that focus on Italy during the middle ages and Renaissance.
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