Raphael Paintings

Raphael- The Italian artist who produced the Madonnas

The picture of Madonna is famous all over the world. It is a representation of Mary with Jesus. This picture is mostly hung in the wall Catholic and Orthodox churches. This splendid masterpiece was produced by one of the greatest Italian artists and architects, Raffaello Sanzio or popularly known as Raphael. He was the leading figure of Italian Renaissance classism. Apart from the Madonna's, he is also renowned as the producer of Sistine Madonna and his large figure compositions in the palace of the Vatican in Rome. check  painting replicas, commission artwork  of famous Artists .check our new art and paintings shop online

Life of Raphael

Raffaello Sanzio was born on April 6, 1483, in Urbino, Italy. He was lucky enough to be born in the cultural center of the arts. In fact, Raphael's father, Giovanni Santi, was a painter himself. He painted for the Duke of Urbino, Federico de Montefeltro. Thus, Raphael's first master was his father, who laid the foundation in painting and taught him humanistic philosophy principles at the Duke of Urbino's court. Unfortunately, at the age of 11 years, Raphael lost his father. Soon after that, he took over his father's workshop and paved his road to success enough in a brief period. At a tender age, he was also appointed to paint for the church of San Nicola.

Raphael's journey of Art and architect

In 1500 a master painter, Pietro Vannuci, also known as Perugino, offered Raphael to become his apprentice in Perugia. This apprenticeship was for four years, and the Italian painter gathered great opportunities to gain knowledge and hands-on experience on painting. This was the time when Raphael developed his own unique style of painting. As he was into religious activities, his works of Art were the Mond Crucifixion(circa 1502), The Three Graces (circa 1503), The Knights Dream (1504), and the Oddi altarpiece, Marriage of the Virgin was completed in 1504. 

Famous paintings of Raphael

The Madonna and Jesus

The painting that elevated Raphael's fame was 'Madonna.' The word Madonna is derived from Italian vocabulary, and it means 'my lady.' The deep meaning and significance of this picture made a special place in this world. The Madonna and child type is very famous in Christian iconography that was divided into many traditional subtypes. Madonna may be generally used of representations of Marry with or without the infant Jesus, which is the image's focus. The presence of angels or saints has also been proved through these images of Madonna. 

The School of Athens

Another very famous painting of Raphael was the 'School of Athens.' It is a fresco by this Italian Renaissance that was painted between 1509-1511. The school of Athens is one of the groups of four main frescoes on the wall of this church that indicates the distinct branches of knowledge. In each of the paintings, there were phrases mentioned, "seek knowledge of causes," "divine inspiration," "knowledge of things divine," "to each what is due." 

Marriage of the Virgin

Another masterpiece by Raphael was the "Marriage of the Virgin," also known as Lo Sposalizio, an oil painting painted in 15104 for the Franciscan church of San Francisco. The painting narrates the marriage ceremony between Mary and Joseph. 

On April 6, 1520, Raphael's was his 37th birthday; he suddenly and unexpectedly passed away due to unknown reasons in Rome, Italy. He was working on his largest painting on canvas, The Transfiguration, during his last days. When his funeral ceremony was organized at the Vatican, his unfinished Art, Transfiguration, was placed on his coffin stand. Raphael's body was buried at the Pantheon in Rome, Italy.

Raphael- The Italian High Renaissance

After his death, Raphael's movement toward Mannerism influenced painting styles in Italy's advancing Baroque period. Although it was respected and followed for the balanced and harmonious compositions of his "Madonnas," portraits, frescoes, and architecture, Raphael continues to be widely regarded as the leading artistic figure of Italian High Renaissance classicism.