Masterpiece Sketches by Raphael

Author: (Italian) Raphael
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: Raphael (1483–1520) was an Italian painter. Born on April 6, 1483, in Urbino and died on April 6, 1520, in Rome. Originally named Raffaello Sanzio. He learned painting from his father (the court painter of the Duke of Urbino) in his childhood and later joined the workshop of Perugino, graduating in 1500. Raphael's early works already showed extraordinary talent. At the age of 21, his Maiden's Marriage not only demonstrated his full absorption of Perugino's artistic essence but also surpassed his predecessor in both composition and figure representation. Especially the balance of the scene, the depiction of the background, and the dignified and elegant figures of the Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph were rarely seen in the works of his predecessors. From 1504 to 1508, he stayed in Florence, where the restored republican politics, democratic spirit, and humanist thought influenced him. At the same time, he seriously studied the artistic characteristics of the masters of various schools, drawing from all, particularly admiring Leonardo da Vinci's compositional techniques and Michelangelo's human representation and powerful style, which helped him develop his unique classical and elegant style, quickly achieving great success alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. His series of Madonnas differed from those of medieval painters in that they all embodied humanist thought through maternal warmth and youthful beauty. Among the most famous are Madonna with the Goldfinch (housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence), Madonna of the Meadow (housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna), and Madonna of the Garden (housed in the Louvre Museum). The large-scale oil painting Sistine Madonna, completed between 1512 and 1513, features figures the size of real humans, with a triangular composition formed by the Virgin Mary and saints, exuding solemnity and balance. The figures of the Virgin and Jesus are robust and powerful, expressing the happiness and greatness of maternal love. Another even grander work is the altarpiece Madonna of Fano and the later Madonna della Seggiola and Madonna of Albano, all considered perfect masterpieces.
After 1509, he was invited by Pope Julius II to paint frescoes in the Vatican Palace. The most outstanding are those in the Signatura Hall. These frescoes, covering the walls and ceiling of the hall, represent the four aspects of human spiritual activity: theology, philosophy, poetry, and law. In addition to showcasing his unique painting style, he paid great attention to the harmony between painting and architectural decoration, creating a sense of solemnity, clarity, and richness. Other important works from this period include Eliodoro Expelled from the Temple and Messa di Bolsena for the Hall of Eliodoro, Borgo Fire for the Hall of Fire, and Galatea of the Sabine for the Farnesina Villa. These works reached new heights in figure representation and the use of light and color, earning them the reputation of being the pinnacle of fresco art in both ancient and modern times.
At the age of 23, Raphael painted his self-portrait, Self-Portrait with a Madonna. His portraiture also achieved high acclaim. The key features are the combination of form and spirit, with a lively and expressive quality. He often used slightly sideways half-body poses, omitting the background to highlight the natural and approachable demeanor of the subjects. Representative works include Portrait of Castiglione and Veiled Woman. The former depicts a scholar, whose elegant demeanor and profound knowledge are vividly portrayed. The latter depicts a young woman whose appearance is similar to that of the Virgin Mary in his paintings, but her refined attire and graceful figure perfectly capture the essence of a woman in life.
In the spring of 1520, already suffering from a serious illness, he continued to paint Transfiguration, though it remained unfinished. The part completed by him still shone with brilliance and grandeur, showing that even in his final moments, he was constantly exploring, enriching, and perfecting his style.