Artistic Renaissance: Raphael

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Raphael, a product of the Renaissance, presented a different style of art and introduced a new medium for expression. His repertoire included both complex and simplistic work. The variety in his art allowed him to attract attention from both royalty and common people. His artistic ability is neither challenged nor debated. An outstanding support and teaching from his father planted a seed of inextinguishable desire. Later in his life, Raphael watched this seed bloom as opportunities began to wallow at his feet. However, Raphael was no genius compared to his contemporaries and neither did he have a drop of noble blood in his family history. The facts were not stacked in his favor. Nevertheless, Raphael was always known for his work ethic and good manners.

He born as Raffaello on April 6th, 1483, but for those that do not draw their roots from Italy, he is commonly known as Raphael. His future began with his father, a man who had a vision for his only surviving son. Giovanni saw the inherent skill and talent of Raphael at a very young age. Although he himself was not fortunate enough to see his work bear much fruit, he knew his son would carry the flickering torch that would someday burst into a magnificent flame of masterpiece. Little Raphael developed a passion for art and had a great understanding of it. As he grew, Raphael began to grow out of the teachings of his father. Seeing this, Giovanni took his son to Perugia to study under the influence of Pietro Perugino, a famous painter in the early 1500s. Raphael never saw his mother or father again. His parents had died by the time he was eight. Fortunately, Raphael spent the rest of his childhood acquiring wisdom from other artists and painters instead of focusing on his past (...

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... close attention to detail. Moreover, his art is the true representation of the Renaissance, a rebirth. Raphael placed emotion into every brushstroke in an attempt to convey the feelings of a painting at that particular point in time. His life was composed of peace and serenity and his craftsmanship was irrefutable. His creativity and absolute mastery of capturing life continues to catch the eyes of both friends and strangers. His art continues to speak.

Works Cited

Fraprie, Frank Roy. The Raphael Book. Boston: L. C. Page & Company, 1923. Print

Hall, Marcia. Raphael’s School of Athens. Cambridge: Cambridge Printing Press, 1997. Print

Oppѐ, Paul A. Raphael. New York: Praeger Publishers, Inc, 1970. Print

Talvacchia, Bette. Raphael. New York: Phaidon Press Limited, 2007. Print

Vasari, Giorgio. The Life Of Raphael. 3rd ed. London: Pallas Athene, 2004. Print

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