Who is Raphael?
Raphael was born into a family of artists, his father was a painter at the court of Urbino, it is not known but it is most likely he received early training from him. After his father's death, Raphael moved to Perugia, where he studied under the painter Pietro Perugino, who was known for his gentle, harmonious style. Raphael’s early works reflect Perugino’s influence but quickly began to showcase his own originality. When he moved to Florence in 1504, he was surrounded by artwork from Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, learning their techniques including perspective, the treatment of light, and the portrayal of human anatomy.
Raphael was born April 6, 1483 and died April 6, 1520. He is buried at the Pantheon.
Raphael is praised for his skill of blending deep theological, philosophical, and historical themes with an unprecedented level of artistic skill. He had a deep love for the Catholic Church and wanted to showcase that in his artwork for the world to see.
Learn more about the Life and Works of Raphael
Among the most famous frescoes in the world, these series of four rooms in the Vatican Museums, all have different stories behind them. From 1508-1520 he worked on The Room of Constantine, The Room of Heliodorus, The Room of the Signatura, and The Room of the Fire in the Borgo.
The first room we enter, but the last painted by Raphael's students because of his death, celebrates Christianity over paganism. The reason for this depiction is because of Emperor Constantine who legalized Christianity. So, Raphael wanted to pay homage to him by dedicating a room in his honor. He illustrates Constantine's faith throughout his life. Each wall tells a story of how faith carried him through different struggles he faced.
Constantine had a dream of a cross in the sky and heard a voice say to him "By His sign thou shalt conquer." Before battle, he put the cross on all the uniforms rather than the Roman eagle.
This is a painting of the battle between Constantine and Maxentius. Constantine won his place as ruler of the Western Empire. Maxentius died at the Milvian Bridge.
Emperor Constantine is baptized by Eusibius of Nicomedia.
Emperor Constantine gives over his power of Rome and the Western Empire to the Pope.
Painted from 1512-1514, is the next room we enter. Raphael's focus for this room was to portray God's protection over the church and his people.
Tells the story of Heliodorus who came to Jerusalem to take the temple treasure but was banished by a horseman sent by God.
Encounter of Pope Leo the Great with Attila:
The Pope convincing Attila the Hun not to strike Rome.
The Eucharist started to bleed when a Bohemian priest began to have doubts it was truly Jesus. This occurance led to the building of the cathedral of Orvieto.
The Liberation of Saint Peter:
An angel came to him and unchained him, setting him free while the guards were asleep.
The Disputation of the Holy Sacrament:
Gives us the story of a Bohemian priest doubting the living presence of Christ in the Eucharist. At the moment of doubt, the host starts to bleed leaving the priest doubtless.
Honors the first philosophers. In the middle of the painting, Plato and Aristotle are seen debating each other, and around them are other famous people such as Euclid who is shown teaching geometry on the bottom far right.
The Room of the Fire in the Borgo:
This room has three different frescoes in it, and were mostly done by Raphael's students.
Tells the story of the miracle done by Pope Leo IV. When there was a fire in the Borgo, the area around the Vatican, Pope Leo IV walked onto the balcony and made the sign of the cross. Just by the sign, the fire miraculously ended.
Painted by his students, it portrays Leo IV leading his troops to victory against the Saracens.
The coronation of Charlemagne:
Also done by his students,this is a significant coronation because it was done by Pope Leo III, showing that the Pope held a higher status than emperors.
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Raphael gives us a masterpiece of a painting depicting Christ being carried after his death. We see on the right Mount Calvary, and on the left, His tomb in which Jesus is placed in. The people in the painting are Mary Magdalene, who is seen holding Jesus's hand, Saint John and Nicodemus painfully watching, and the three Marys comforting the Virgin Mary.