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Raphael Facts

Raphael Facts
Raphael was an Italian High Renaissance painter, and along with Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo, they form the great master trinity of their era. Raphael was born Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino on either March 28th or April 6th, 1483 in Urbino, Marche, Italy. His father was Giovanni Santi, the Duke of Urbino's court painter. Giovanni had been teaching Raphael to paint, but died when Raphael was only 11. Raphael took over his father's workshop and soon became one of the town's best painters. A master painter Pietro Vannunci invited Raphael to become his apprentice in 1500, which lasted for four years. Raphael's unique style soon propelled him to the top painters of his time.
Interesting Raphael Facts:
During Raphael's apprenticeship he painted several pieces including "Mond Crucifixion" (c. 1502), "The Three Graces" (c. 1503), "The Knight's Dream" (1504), and "Marriage of the Virgin" (1504).
At the end of his apprenticeship in 1504 Raphael moved to Florence and studied the works of Masaccio, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Fra Bartolommeo, which helped him further develop his own style.
Between 1504 and 1507 Raphael painted several "Madonnas", resulting in "La Belle jardine" in 1507.
In 1508 Raphael painted the "Entombment", considered his most ambitious work in Florence.
In 1508 Raphael moved to Rome where Pope Julius II had him paint "Stanze" in the Vatican.
Raphael went on to paint frescos in the Vatican considered to be the most highly regarded of the Italian High Renaissance period. These included "The Triumph of Religion", "The School of Athens", The Expulsion of Heliodorus", "The Miracle of Bolsena", "The Repulse of Attila from Rome", and "The Liberation of Saint Peter".
While painting the frescos at the Vatican Raphael also painted in his own studio and completed several Madonnas including "Sistine Madonna", and "Madonna of the Chair".
Raphael's career is divided into three periods and styles including his early years in Umbria, approximately four years in Florence, and then his 12 years in Rome when he completed the majority of his large body of artwork.
Raphael's painting "Portrait of a Young Man", which he finished in 1514, was lost during World War II. It was believed to have been a self-portrait.
Raphael also worked as an architect, designing for the pope after his architect Donato Bramante died. Raphael designed chapels including Santa Maria del Popolo Chapel in Rome, and he designed a chapel in Sant Eligio degli Orefici, as well as part of the new Saint Peter's basilica.
Raphael also designed ornamental palaces, inspired by his predecessor Donato Bramante.
Raphael had approximately 50 students and assistants working for him at his workshop in Rome. He was so well known that other masters came to work with Raphael in Rome.
Raphael died on April 6th, 1520. Although his exact date of birth is either March 28th, or April 6th, he may have actually died on his birthday. The cause of death is not known. He was only 37. At the time of his death he was working on his largest canvas titled "The Transfiguration".
Raphael was laid to rest in Rome, Italy, at the Pantheon.


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