Raphael artist biography

Raphael, master painter and architect of the Italian High Renaissance, best known for his Madonnas and for his large figure compositions in the Vatican. His work is admired for its clarity of form and ease of composition and for its visual achievement of the Neoplatonic ideal of human grandeur. Giovanni Santi, Raphael's father; Christ supported by two angels, c. Raphael was born in the small but artistically significant central Italian city of Urbino in the Marches region, [8] where his father Giovanni Santi was court painter to the Duke. The reputation of the court had been established by Federico da Montefeltro, a highly successful condottiere who had been created Duke of. Early years First steps Professional growth Public recognition Peak period Later years Public interest Professional activity Media attention
A leading figure of Italian High Renaissance classicism, Raphael is best known for his "Madonnas," including the Sistine Madonna, and for his large figure compositions in the Palace of the Vatican.