The Sistine Madonna
Raphael Sanzio da Urbino, 1512Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, most commonly known as Raphael, was the eminent figure of the Italian High Renaissance. As both a painter and architect, he was revered for the visual harmony found throughout his works. Raphael was greatly influenced by the works of Italian masters Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, closely studying the details of their work to develop and improve his own personal style. His paintings are characterized by the mathematically calculated harmony in their compositions and the amalgamation of Renaissance techniques like sfumato, anatomical correctness, and linear perspective. Raphael died unexpectedly at 37, leaving behind a large body of work and triumphant legacy that made him a beloved master and highly regarded figure of Western art history.