Sanzio Raphael Biography

Dromo's Den

RAPHAEL or Raffaello, Sanzio, one of the most eminent painters of the world, born in Urbino, Italy, April 6, 1483; died at Rome, April 6, 1520. He was the son of Giovanni Sanzio, a painter, who died in 1494. From him the son received his first instruction, but he was afterward entrusted to the care of an uncle, who placed him in the studio of Perugino at Perugia. He was instructed under this eminent painter for a term of six or eight years. He went to Florence in 1504, where he painted till 1508, and then was invited to Rome by Pope Julius II. His paintings were at first influenced to some extent by the manner of Perugino, but at Florence he began to develop a new and independent style of artistic work by studying the productions of the great masters. It may be said that he acquired simplicity and strength of outline from Michael Angelo, a depth of coloring from Fra Bartolemmeo, and grace of expression from Leonardo da Vinci. His Florentine productions include "Christ Bearing the Cross;" "Madonna;" "Holy Family," and "Marriage of Joseph and the Virgin." After reaching Rome, he was engaged to assist Bramante in embellishing the Vatican, in which he executed many famous frescoes. These include "Dispute of the Fathers of the Church" and "School of Athens," both in the second chamber. Other frescoes in the Vatican are the "Fall of Adam;" "Solomon's Judgment;" "Temperance;" "Astronomy;" "Emperor Justinian Delivering the Roman Law to Tribonian;" "Gregory X. Giving the Decretals to an Advocate;" "Leo the Great Stopping the Progress of Attila;" "Moses Viewing the Burning Bush;" "Deliverance of Peter from Prison;" "Building of the Ark," and "Jacob's Dream." Raphael's works are generally grouped in three classes, including those executed in the manner influenced by Perugino, those produced under his Florentine style from 1504 to 1508, and those executed after settling in Rome. Transition to the latter style is first recognized in his "Dispute of the Fathers of the Church." Though each style has its peculiar merit, it may be said that his last manner exhibits the most classical features, since it was influenced largely by his contact with numerous productions of the classical period. The last famous work undertaken by him is his "Transfiguration of Christ," which was left in an unfinished state at his death, and may be seen in the Vatican.

The Teachers' and Pupils' Cyclopædia, Vol. IV. (Kansas City: Bufton Book Co., 1909) 1555-1556.