Raphael
Raphael was a painter who was considered one of the great masters of the Italian Renaissance.He enjoyed wealth and power during his lifetime unlike many other artists of the time who were not to be recognized until after their deaths. Rafael was born in Italy on April 6, 1483. He was the son of a very successful artist, but his father passed away when he was 11. Growing up, Raphael was always surrounded by talented and wealthy people. He was sent to study in Perugia when he was 16 and then when he was 20 Raphael went to Siena and Florence to study with masters. He gained recognition for church paintings, commissioned portraits, and pictures of saints Raphael aided in making while he was with these masters.
Later, Raphael was summoned to Rome to work for Pope Julius II who had a powerful and heroic personality and wished to have his rooms dramatically painted. Julius' favorite architect, Donato Bramante, was a relative of Raphael. Julius was so impressed with Raphael’s work that he dismissed all of the other artists that had been working for him and Raphael finished everything on his own. For Julius, Raphael created the Stanza della Segnatura which is a building that combines both pagan and Christian themes in brilliant, complex compositions to symbolize the Renaissance. Raphael made many more creations under Julius' patronage.
When Julius died Raphael became a favorite of the next pope, Leo X. Both Raphael and Leo preferred to be happy and were hardworking men. Raphael produced many masterpieces over the next few years for the pope and other patrons including some of his most famous works, the Sistine Madonna, Madonna of the Goldfinch, The Holy Family under the Oak Tree (Pearl Madonna), the Galatea, Saint Cecilia, and a portrait of Raphael's friend, Baldassare Castiglione. Leo gave Raphael many extra tasks which may have affected his health. He was appointed as superintendent of antiquities, he decorated rooms and designed a series of 10 tapestries, each more
Later, Raphael was summoned to Rome to work for Pope Julius II who had a powerful and heroic personality and wished to have his rooms dramatically painted. Julius' favorite architect, Donato Bramante, was a relative of Raphael. Julius was so impressed with Raphael’s work that he dismissed all of the other artists that had been working for him and Raphael finished everything on his own. For Julius, Raphael created the Stanza della Segnatura which is a building that combines both pagan and Christian themes in brilliant, complex compositions to symbolize the Renaissance. Raphael made many more creations under Julius' patronage.
When Julius died Raphael became a favorite of the next pope, Leo X. Both Raphael and Leo preferred to be happy and were hardworking men. Raphael produced many masterpieces over the next few years for the pope and other patrons including some of his most famous works, the Sistine Madonna, Madonna of the Goldfinch, The Holy Family under the Oak Tree (Pearl Madonna), the Galatea, Saint Cecilia, and a portrait of Raphael's friend, Baldassare Castiglione. Leo gave Raphael many extra tasks which may have affected his health. He was appointed as superintendent of antiquities, he decorated rooms and designed a series of 10 tapestries, each more