2. Raphael’s Biography
Raphael was born Raffaello Sanzio on April 6, 1483 in
Urbino Italy. Raphael’s father was a working artist. This is
where his interest and relationship with art began. His
father taught him the basics of painting. When his father
passed away Raphael took over his business. His talent was
quickly realized. In 1500 he started an apprenticeship under
Perugino “Pietro Vannuci.” Raphael gained knowledge and
experience and also his own unique style while living in
Perugia. In 1504 he moved to Florence, Italy. It was here
that he was influenced by Leonardo De Vinci, Michelangelo
and Masaccio. In 1508, Raphael moved to Rome and was
working for the Vatican. Here he created “The School of
Athens,” By 1514, Raphael was famous for his work. At this
stage of his life he was creating portraits, frescos and
architecture. On April 6, 1520, Raphael died in Rome, Italy.
4. In the early years of Raphael’s work, there were echoes of
his teacher Perugino. As in St. George and the Dragon, there was
a fire in the knights demeanor and an intelligence in the horse,
also the dragon took on a foul potency that Perugino could not
achieve. In 1504-08 he spent time in Florence, Italy absorbing the
techniques of Leonardo and Michelangelo. His works seemed to
take on a new energy. Being influenced more by Leonardo, we see
a perfection of balance and softness of contour, as in “Small
Cowper Madonna.” Raphael's work seemed perfect and sweet in
contemporary times. His work definitely influenced artists of the
High Renaissance era.
6. Italian renaissance began in Florence, Italy. Raphael found
inspiration from the classical art of Rome and Greece. One of the main
characteristics is the one-point perspective which gives the illusion of
three-dimensional space. Perspective and Geometry were also used in the
composition of his paintings. Allowing objects and figures to appear
closer to the viewer in the foreground. Naturalism was used to give a more
realistic nature to the human body and animal representation.
Chiaroscuro’s use of light and dark helped create three dimensional
volume particularly in painting the human body.
9. Work by Raphael:
1. St. Michael and the Dragon – The Louvre, Paris
2. The Last Judgment – Voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent
3. The Death of Ananias – Victoria and Albert Museum, London
4. Vision of Ezekiel – Museum Palazzo Pitti, Florence
Sources:
http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/rome-after-raphael
http://historymedren.about.com/library/who/blwwraphael.htm
http://www.artbible.info/art/large/182.html
Major Characteristics of the Renaissance:
1. Mythology, pagan and secular themes.
2. Importance of education and knowledge.
3. Naturalism.
4. Byzantine and Gothic art.
5. Monumental.
