Raphael - Delphi Complete Works of Raphael

Raphael

(1483-1520)

Contents

Delphi Classics 2015

Version 1

Masters of Art Series

Raffaello Sanzio

By Delphi Classics, 2015

Urbino, a walled city in the Marche region of Italy, south-west of Pesaro Raphaels birthplace

Raphaels family home in Urbino, which is now a museum dedicated to the artist

Possible self-portrait of Raphael in his teenage years

Portrait of a Young Man, 1514 lost during the Second World War, this is a possible self-portrait of Raphael as a young man

THE HIGHLIGHTS

In this section, a sample of some of Raphaels most celebrated works is provided, with concise introductions, special detail reproductions and additional biographical images.

Completed between 1499 and 1502, the Resurrection of Christ is one of Raphaels earliest extant works and is now housed in the So Paulo Museum of Art, being the only conserved work of the artist in the Southern Hemisphere. Also known as the Kinnaird Resurrection, named after its early owner Lord Kinnaird, the composition is ruled by a complex ideal geometry, interlinking all the elements of the scene and evoking a strange animated rhythm, transforming the characters in the painting into co-protagonists in a unique choreography. The painting demonstrates influence from Pinturicchio and Melozzo da Forl, though the spatial orchestration of the work, with its tendency to movement, demonstrates Raphaels knowledge of the contemporary Florentine style.

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This 1502 painting is housed in the Accademia Carrara of Bergamo and depicts the third century martyr, cloaked in an ornate red robe. Saint Sebastian was killed during the Roman emperor Diocletians persecution of the Christians in 288 AD. He is commonly depicted in art and literature tied to a post or tree, riddled with arrows. Despite this being the most common artistic depiction of Sebastian, he was, according to legend, rescued and healed by Irene of Rome. The details of Saint Sebastians martyrdom were first spoken of by the fourth century bishop Ambrose of Milan (Saint Ambrose) in his sermon on Psalm 118. Ambrose stated that Sebastian came from Milan and that he was already venerated there at that time.

The young Raphael depicts the Saint with a flawless pure skin that would be replicated again in subsequent years in the paintings of the artists famous Madonnas. A cropped golden halo surrounds the head of the Saint, as he contemplates his earthly fate. Instead of choosing to depict the grisly execution, Raphael instead hints at the martyrs death through a single arrow, which St. Sebastian holds delicately with his right hand, much like a musician holding a violin bow, adding grace to the composition. The artists dexterous and fine handling of paint is revealed in the detailed depiction of the Saints hair, which gently curls, reinforcing the delicate impression.

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St. Sebastian (detail) by Andrea Mantegna, 1480

The Mond Crucifixion (also known as the Crocifissione Gavari) demonstrates Raphaels early influence from the Umbrian master Pietro Perugino. According to Vasari, Raphaels father placed the youngster in Peruginos workshop as an apprentice when he was eight years old, although only one other source confirms this report. Most modern historians agree that Raphael at least worked as an assistant to Perugino from around 1500. The influence of Perugino on Raphaels early work at this time is clear and Vasari wrote that it was impossible to distinguish between their hands at this period. Their stylistic portrayal of characters, particularly females and male youths are very similar. Both master and pupil apply paint thickly, using an oil varnish medium, in shadows and darker garments, while they both apply very thinly on flesh areas. An excess of resin in the varnish often causes cracking of areas of paint in their works. Raphael is described in records as a master, indicating he was fully trained, in 1501, by which time he was likely to have left Peruginos studio.