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During his short life, Raphael Santi (1483-1520) left behind masterpieces of art, which have not been equaled to this day.
Santi was a follower of such outstanding artists as Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Pietro Perugino (1446-1523), Michelangelo (1475-1564), and he died having reached perfection in painting.
The paintings of Rafael Santi vividly reflect his refined nature. From an early age, he strove for spiritual, pure beauty and worked with great diligence, which is confirmed by his work.
It is difficult to single out the best works of Rafael Santi, it would be interesting to know the opinion of the author himself on what he considers the best of his creation. But we can tell you a brief information about the most famous paintings of the master. We hope you get what you came for here!
10 Stations (1508-1517)
“Stanza” by Raphael Santi can be seen in the Apostolic Palace. Pope Julius II (1443-1513) commissioned the artist to paint his chambers, having experienced the delight of seeing his works. The master began to fulfill the order, making out the rooms one by one. However, the work went on for a long time, and the Pope died without seeing its completion.
By the way, the brilliant artist worked on Stanza until his death, and talented students helped him – the project was too large-scale. Many faces in the paintings are Santi’s contemporaries. The full name of the frescoes is Stanza della Senyatura.
9. Beautiful gardener (1507)
“The Beautiful Gardener” is part of the Madonna cycle, which was painted by a Renaissance artist. The composition of the work is enlivened with features painted in very realistic colors of the Renaissance era – Santi adopted the technique from the masters of late antiquity.
“The Beautiful Gardener” is the last painting by Santi, which he created in Florence. The genre refers to religious painting. The artist worked on the painting before leaving for Rome.
It is believed that Ridolfo Ghirlandaio (1483-1561) helped Rafael Santi to complete it, and there is evidence for this: Raphael most often depicted the Madonna’s cape in rich blue colors, and in the painting “The Beautiful Gardener” she is gray-blue.
8. The battle of St. George with the dragon (1504-1505)
After leaving Pirugia, Rafael Santi arrived in Florence, where he “fired up” with fresh ideas and adopted painting techniques from great artists. The biblical plot of the painting “The Battle of St. George with the Dragon” was used by many artists in their works, because he was popular, and the greatest master did not stand aside.
The painting depicts the white horse of St. George, beating the dragon’s hooves, and George himself pierces him with a spear. The famous painting was painted on wood with oil. The plot is described in the old Russian story “George’s Miracle about the Serpent”.
In the poetic atmosphere of Florence, Santi’s talent was fully revealed – he studied the creations of the Florentine masters, especially Michelangelo and Leonardo, with study.
7. School of Athens (1511)
One of the main masterpieces of the Renaissance “School of Athens” is located in the Vatican. On the fresco are all the familiar faces of ancient philosophy: Socrates (470 BC), Zeno (495 BC-425 BC), Epicurus (341 BC). BC-270 BC), Pythagoras (570 BC-495 BC), etc.
25-year-old Santi started work after the order of Pope Julius II, who asked him to paint 4 rooms in the Vatican courtyard.
The picture is made very lightly, even airy, although there are more than 50 faces on it. All the frescoes in the hall, including the School of Athens, are united by a common theme – the clergy of man.
In the Renaissance, classical humanism developed, the concept of which was based on the study of the spiritual activity of man.
6. Three Graces (1504)
Raphael Santi worked on the painting around 1504. The “Three Graces” depict Beauty, Innocence and Love. Each holds a golden ball, symbolizing perfection. Against the backdrop of a desert landscape, the figures look snow-white, but their nakedness does not at all cause a feeling of discomfort.
Women’s faces are full of peace, so they evoke warm feelings in the audience. The composition of the figures is built on the statue of the Piccolomini family, who earlier brought this sculpture to Siena from the palace of Rome. Rafael Santi helped the family arrange the library in their new home.
5. Triumph of Galatea (1512)
The fresco “The Triumph of Galatea” was commissioned by the banker Agostino Chigi (1466-1520) – the richest man of that time. Rafael Santi agreed to work only on one condition – if Margarita Luti (the artist’s mistress and model) becomes the model. Chigi agreed, and Rafael invited her to work for a large reward.
The fresco depicts Galatea flying on the waves, being pulled by dolphins on the water. She is in the middle, and she is surrounded by sea creatures. Cupids are everywhere, intending to shoot an arrow. The fresco creates a joyful mood, so it fits perfectly into the feast hall of the Agostino family home.
4. Transfiguration (1516-1520)
Rafael Santi began to paint the altarpiece commissioned by Giulio Medici (1478-1534) for the cathedral, but could not finish it. Raphael Santi passed away early. On the day of the funeral, the work was placed at his head. He managed to draw Christ, the apostles James, John, Peter and Tabor.
Santi’s students completed the lower part of the picture. The work describes a biblical story. Christ went to the high mountain where James, John and Peter were, to demonstrate his true form. The artist managed to subtly convey the light emanating from Christ, it seems that he rises up, and the apostles experience blindness.
3. Betrothal of the Virgin Mary (1504)
At the time of writing “The Betrothal of the Virgin Mary” Rafael Santi was only 21 years old. In this picture, he still remains faithful to his master Petro Perugino (1446-1523), adopting his style, nevertheless, we see how a brilliant artist is born.
Santi finished the painting in 1504, and it was after this work that the artist gained fame as an established master of a rare and extraordinary talent.
Mary and Joseph Rafael Santi depicted in the center of the square. The landscape that surrounds them is full of ambiguity. On the one hand, a majestic temple with light pouring through the passage, on the other, a structure that looks like a barrier between two worlds: heavenly and earthly. All the figures in the picture are natural, and their poses are permeated with lyricism.
2. Donna Velata (1516)
The painting “Donna Velata” depicts Margherita Luti (1500-1522) – the beloved of the master. We see with what trepidation he wrote it, because he loved and extolled her very much. Santi fell in love with the girl so much that he paid a huge ransom for her father, a baker.
But the happiness of the lovers did not last long – after 6 years, Rafael left the earthly world, and the girl closed herself in the monastery, where she carried grief until her death. The portrait depicts Margherita Luti in pastel colors and her head is covered. The painter depicted his beloved with all tenderness, and his admiration for her is conveyed to the viewer.
1. Sistine Madonna (1512)
The image of Christ and Mary in the works of Santi appeared quite often, but the “Sistine Madonna” is especially valuable.. The painting was intended for Pope Sixtus II (215-258), and the Madonna was written off from the image of Raphael’s wife Margherita Luti. The spiritualized face of the Madonna depicts the pain of the mother, who foresaw the death of her son for the sake of humanity.
Jesus, whom the Madonna holds in her arms, is depicted as well-fed and healthy, his hair is slightly disheveled, and his angelic appearance contrasts with eyes filled with meaning.
At the feet of the mother of Jesus bowed Sixtus II and the great martyr Barbara (273-306). At the bottom, 2 angels carelessly looked up, they know in advance what will happen to Christ and his mother.