Raffaello Sanzio

Raffaello Sanzio, commonly known as Raphael, was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. Born on April 6, 1483, in Urbino, he was raised in a family of artists, which influenced his artistic development. Rafael was educated in the workshop of his father, Giovanni Santi, and later studied under the prominent painter Perugino. His early career began in Florence, where he was influenced by the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, which led to a unique blend of styles in his own work. Raphael's mastery of composition, use of color, and ability to convey human emotion set him apart from his contemporaries. He became renowned for his frescoes in the Vatican, especially 'The School of Athens', depicting an idealized gathering of the great philosophers. His major works include the Sistine Madonna, the Assumption of the Virgin, and numerous Madonna paintings. Raphael's impact on the development of Western art is immense, with his graceful forms and harmonious compositions influencing the Baroque and Rococo movements that followed. He passed away at the young age of 37 in Rome on April 6, 1520, leaving behind a legacy of artistic innovation and a profound influence on generations of artists, cementing his place among the giants of Renaissance art.