Raphael Sanzio (Santi) (1483-1520)

Raphael Sanzio, or Raphael Santo, famous painter, sculptor and architect of the Roman school of arts, was born at Urbino and died at Rome (1483-1520). Raphael was the pupil of Perugin, and was later called to Rome by Bramante, to join the decorating of the pontifical quarters, where he was appointed to paint the Stanza della Segnatura (The Room of the Signature).

Together with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, Raphael personifies the genius of the Renaissance. He had, at the courts of Julius II and Leon X, an exceptional situation - as he lived the life of a prince, and worked like a titan.

Raphael's genius made balance of a wide range of aptitudes: perfect drawing, dynamism and precision of movement, harmony, a sovereign wielding of lines, a mastery of colours of infinite delicateness. He is impossible to imitate in the art of Madonnas, who under his brush gained brilliant youth, freshness, and chaste maternity.

Having died while still young, raphael left behind a legacy of masterpieces: "The Holy Family", "The Garden of Eden", "St. Michael Fighting the Devil", "The Disputation of the Holy Sacrament", The School of Athens, Parnassus, the frescoes of The Chambers and Loggias of Vatican.






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Pictures from Flickr tagged Sistine Madonna

 Sistine Madonna Reproduction IMG000075 NYC