Raphael Sanzio
Biography
Raphael Sanzio (1483–1520) was an Italian painter and architect, renowned as one of the leading figures of the High Renaissance. Born in Urbino, Italy, he showed early artistic talent and trained under his father, Giovanni Santi, and later under prominent artists of the time, including Pietro Perugino. Raphael quickly gained a reputation for his skill in composition, perspective, and harmonious depiction of the human form.
Raphael’s career flourished in Florence and Rome, where he painted some of his most famous works, including The School of Athens (1511) and The Sistine Madonna (1512). His frescoes in the Vatican’s Raphael Rooms are celebrated for their balance, clarity, and classical beauty. In addition to painting, he contributed to architecture, working on projects such as St. Peter’s Basilica, and designed tapestries and altarpieces.
Known for his graceful style and ability to combine realism with idealized beauty, Raphael influenced generations of artists and became a model of Renaissance artistry. He died unexpectedly at the age of 37, leaving a profound and enduring legacy in Western art.