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Raphael
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Born as the Italian Renaissance flourished, extolling its classical ideals of humanism and revolutionizing art, Raffello Sanzio, (6 April 1483 – 6 April 1520) was destined to the join the ranks of the immortals. Usually known only by his first name, he is regarded, along with Michelangelo and Leonardo, as one of the three giants of Italian Renaissance art. His art embodied the classical ideals of the High Renaissance style. Born in Urbino, Italy, Raphael received his earliest training from his father, a provincial court painter. In his early career, Raphael worked in Florence concentrating on religious subjects rendered in a graceful, restrained style. At 26, he arrived in Rome and began working for Pope Julius II, pursuant to a commission to decorate the papal apartments, frescoes and was named the architect of the new St. Peter's Church. During this period, the artist expanded his repertoire to include portraits and mythological subjects. While the influence of Leonardo and Michelangelo is evident in his compositions, Raphael developed his own unique style that has retained a timeless, universal appeal. More socially adept than his counterparts, Raphael enjoyed the patronage of leading political and social figures of the period. His famous paintings of the Virgin Mary seem to have been created with amazing effortlessness and prove his talent for depicting the human form in all its beauty. In Raffaello's works, the artistic ideal of High Renaissance was perfected. Though he died at 37 from mysterious causes, he is considered one of the most successful and popular artists in all history.
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