About the Artist

Raphael (1483 Urbino-1520 Rome), whose real name was Raffaello Sanzi, received his first training in art from his father, the painter and poet Giovanni Sanzi. Around 1500 Raphael arrived in the atelier of Pietro Perugino in Perugia. In 1504 he went to Florence, where he studied both older and contemporary painting. Pope Julius II (1503-1513) called Raphael to Rome in 1508, where he worked form 1509 on, especially on the frescoes for the papal suites in the Vatican. After Bramante's death he was placed in charge of the construction of the Church of St. Peter in 1514. The following year, he assumed the office of Curator of Roman Antiquities. Raphael is considered the most significant painter of the High Renaissance. His famous altarpieces, sensitive Madonnas and portraits as well as his enormous wall frescoes with their complex content, are characterized by formal clarity and deeply felt, natural expressive power. His artwork was often emulated by succeeding generations; Giorgio Vasari praised especially the humility and grace of his works. Among the artist's major works are la Belle Jardinier, c. 1507, Musee du Louvre, Paris; The Canigiani Holy Family, c. 1507, Alte Pinakothek, Munich; and Julius II, 1511/12, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.