Raphael Paintings
Rapael Sanzio and the Italian Renaissance Town of Urbino
Raphael paintings are greatly influenced by his first years in Urbino, one of the Italian Renaissance cultural centers. Read a brief Raphael biography.
The Raphael Sanzio who looks at us from this self-portrait is a handsome, young man with the collected composure typical of his renowned Madonnas. Raphael Santi’s look in this portrait is that of a man who serenely accept his place in the world and his talent. Raphael Santi was born in Urbino, a small town in Le Marche region, in 1483. Till recently Raffaello’s legacy to Urbino, the influence of the his father and the court of Montefeltro was underestimated but two recent exhibitions of his early work demonstrated the strong influence of his father and hometown in Raphael paintings.
Giovanni Santi, Raphael’s father was one of the many painters, architects and artisans called to Duke’s court.
Young Raphael was exposed to painting masterpieces in his native town and during his travels to Venice, Perugia and Florence. His father’s connections guaranteed access to the stimulating artistic life of the palace. The early death of Giovanni, made Raffaello the heir of the family thriving workshop. Despite Raphael Sanzio’s travels and his widely recognized talent, Urbino remained an important part of the artist’s life and a consistent source of commissions.
Raphael’s early works were influenced by Perugino and later by Leonardo’s and Mighelangelo’s paintings but his Madonnas show a perfectly balanced harmony and the placid landscapes remind us of those of his native Urbino. Raphael’s composed personality and short but productive life, seem to perfectly embody the Renaissance ideal of harmony and perfection in contrast with other contemporary artists like Michelangelo with his the stormy disposition or Leonardo with his enigmatic works.
Famous are his portraits like this one of an unknown noble woman also called “La Muta”. The richness of minute details of jewelry and clothing is typical of Raffaello. This portrait can be admired at the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche in Urbino. The fame of Raphael paintings traveled and in 1508 he was entrusted with the decoration of the papal rooms by Pope Giulio II. These frescoes became famous as “Le Stanze di Raffaello” and “The School of Athens” is famous for its harmony and symmetry, the renaissance ideals. With the new Pope, Leone X, Raphael acquired an important position also as architect and archeologist. He had a vast workshop with fifty pupils and assistants. Vasari, in his chronicles, emphasizes Raffaello’s ability to run the workshop smoothly and efficiently.
Raffaello was, also in his times a much admired and prolific artist and despite his early death at thirty seven, he left a huge body of work. His death was felt as a public calamity and his body was honored with burial in the Pantheon of Rome.
Back to Places to Visit in Italy: Le Marche Go from Raphael Paintings to Le-Marche-Travel-Guide Homepage |
Bookmark this site at your favorite social bookmarking system and let others know about our site and Le Marche region.
Per leggere articoli sulle Marche dal Corriere Adriatico, clicca qui
Search Engine
Can't find the page you are looking for? Type a word in the space below, click the search button and find it in our site!
Translate this page
Do you like my website? Click here to find out how to build your own.
