Considered one of the greatest artists of all time, Raffaello Sanzio left an indelible mark on the history of art thanks to his extraordinary ability to combine beauty, balance and grace. A master of the Renaissance, he was a painter, architect and innovator, influencing generations of artists. In this article we discover his life, his most famous works, fascinating curiosities and the way in which Materico.it celebrates his art through unique material reproductions.
Who was Raffaello Sanzio?
Born in Urbino in 1483, Raphael was introduced to art by his father Giovanni Santi, also a painter. After training in Urbino, Perugia and Florence, he moved to Rome where, under the pontificate of Julius II and then Leo X, he became the official artist of the papacy.
His painting is the emblem of the Renaissance: harmony of proportions, balance of compositions, sweetness of faces and a wise use of perspective. He died prematurely at only 37 years old, but his contribution to art was so monumental that he was buried in the Pantheon.
Raphael's most famous works
1. The School of Athens (1509–1511)
Fresco of the Vatican Rooms representing the apotheosis of classical thought. Plato and Aristotle in the center, surrounded by philosophers, mathematicians and scientists. A manifesto of Renaissance culture.
2. The Sistine Madonna (1512–1513)
Famous for the two little angels at the base, this masterpiece expresses tenderness, balance and spirituality. The Madonna is wrapped in an ethereal atmosphere that still moves us today.
3. Portrait of Baldassarre Castiglione (1514–1515)
A masterpiece of psychological introspection. The portrait conveys dignity and delicacy, with a deep gaze and clothes rendered with masterly care.
4. Transfiguration (1516–1520)
The artist's last great work, a symbol of his stylistic maturity. The contrast between the upper (divine) and the lower (human) part is a powerful spiritual and compositional message.
Raphael's Style: The Art of Balance
Raphael is the artist of harmony . Unlike Michelangelo's dynamism or Leonardo's mystery, his painting is clear, calm and perfectly balanced. The figures move in a space constructed with perspective precision, the faces convey serenity, the colors blend gracefully.
It is no coincidence that it was considered for centuries the ideal model of classical painting.
Curiosities about Raphael
1. His death on his birthday
He died on April 6, 1520, his 37th birthday. A coincidence that fueled the romantic myth of the artist.
2. Loved by popes and princes
He was the favourite artist of Julius II and Leo X, who entrusted him with monumental tasks, including the decoration of the Vatican Palaces and the supervision of the Fabbrica di San Pietro.
3. Raphael the architect
He was also an excellent architect. After Bramante's death, he was entrusted with the direction of the construction of St. Peter's. He also designed palaces, chapels and villas in classical style.
4. Eternal fame
He was one of the few artists to be celebrated during his lifetime as an absolute genius. Vasari included him among the most important “lives” in his famous collection.
5. Buried in the Pantheon
By Raphael's own will, he was buried in the Pantheon in Rome , next to the greats of history. On his tomb one can read: "Here lies Raphael, by whom Nature feared to be conquered while he was alive, and to die when he died."
Conclusion
Raphael is the symbol of the Italian Renaissance: an artist who was able to combine classicism and modernity, technical perfection and emotional expression. With the reproductions of Materico.it , his works live again today with a surprising visual and tactile force, capable of moving every art lover.
