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Mary Magdalene

One of the greatest artists that ever lived was a man called Raphael, his real name was Raffaelo Sanzio. He was born on April 6th (supposedly), 1483 in Urbino, Italy.

In his life Raffaelo would become one of the greatest painters, and master architects of the Italian Renaissance. He would be considered a genius, like Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo, but would live the life of an ordinary man of that time period.

Raphael was born in Urbino, where he received his earliest training from his father, Giovanni Santi, who was painter, and a poet. He died when Raphael was just eleven years old.  A few years later Raphael went to a nearby town of Perugina where he trained as an apprentice, to one of his father’s friend. Pietro Perugino was another very talented artist. Raphael’s paintings and other artistic creations truly reflected the influence from Perugino’s paintings. One of Perugino’s paintings “The Cruxificion with the Virgin, St. John, St Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene” was at first thought to be a painting of Raphael himself.

In 1504 Raphael set out from Perugina and studied in Florence.  Raphael was said to be a genius, he was able to adapt to the changing time of “artistry”, combining the time with his own influences.  During his time in Forence, where he met Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelanglo, who were also working there, he adopted new artistic working methods and techniques. However; most of his styles though, were influenced by Leonardo.  After his journey to Florence his paintings started to take on a more vigorous style, with graphic energy.  To think that these three artist sat together discussing anything in quite incredible, so much talent in one place.

In 1508 Pope Julius II decided that certain rooms at the Vatican needed to be redecorated, seeing Raphael’s sketches, the Pope realized that Raphael was the person for the job.  Pope Julius II commissioned him to redecorate the walls of four rooms, along with the Pope’s private quarters. In 1513 Julius II died and his successor Leo X, appointed Raphael to be chief designer and architect for the rebuilding of St. Peters Cathedral.

Raphael’s early painting showed his gentle style that he aquired from Perugino, and it was noticed in “St. George and the Dragon” which he painted during 1504-06, and is hanging in the National gallery in Washington

Most of Raphael’s original paintings were of the Madonna, or a portrait of the Mother of Jesus. In his lifetime he painted over three hundred paintings with this Madonna theme. Raphael’s most popular painting ever was “The Madonna of the Chair”, in which Mary is sitting, holding a child.

Other famous paintings of Raphael’s were “Virgin with a Lamb” the “Sistine Madonna” just to mention a few.

As he grew older, Raphael’s personal beauty, kindness and politeness was evident.  He was a beloved artist to all. While Raphael lived in the Vatican’s private quarter, he lived like a prince, he never had a need or a want for money.

In all of Raphael’s paintings the people look gentle and extremely beautiful, more ideal then realistic. They have oval faces, with refined regular features, and their figures are well proportioned, supple, and graceful.

His most famous works are:

• “Maddalena”
• “Madonna dell Granduca”
• “Pope Leo X with two cardinals”
• “The Small Cowper Madonna”
• “The Alba Madonna”
• “Bindo Altovti”
• “Virgin with a Lamb”

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- and the World Famous “Madonna of the Chair”