Art History

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Art History

Artists in 60 Seconds: Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio)

Italian Painter

By Shelley Esaak, About.com

Image © Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden; Used with permission

Raphael (Raffaelo Sanzio or Santi) (Italian, 1483-1520) Sistine Madonna, 1513-14 Oil on canvas 265 x 196 cm

© Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden

Movement, Style, School or Period

Italian High Renaissance, Umbrian School

Date and Place of Birth

April 6 (Good Friday), 1483, Urbino, Italy

Life

Raphael was young, rich, out-going and "movie star" handsome, as well as being enormously talented. He, along with Leonardo and Michelangelo, is considered one of the three Great Names of the High Renaissance in Italy. His work is characterized by perfect use of color, balance of composition, and sweetness in the subjects of his paintings. His early death brought about what came to be acknowledged as the end of the Italian Renaissance.

Important Works

  • Madonna of the Meadows, 1505
  • The School of Athens, 1511
  • The Sistine Madonna, 1513-14
  • Galatea, ca. 1513
  • Pope Leo X with Cardinals, ca. 1517

Date and Place of Death

April 6 (Good Friday), 1520, Rome, Italy

Go to Artist Profiles: Names beginning with "R" or Artist Profiles: Main Index

Explore Art History

About.com Special Features

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

The Business School Lowdown

Everything from choosing a school and applying, to employment after graduation. More >

Art History

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Art History
  4. Artists A to Z
  5. Artists From A to Z
  6. Names Beginning With R
  7. Raphael Bio - Italian High Renaissance Painter Raffaelo Sanzio or Santi

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.