His family name was Sanzio: he was born in the city of Urbino, in the pontificate of Sixtus IV. His father, Giovanni Sanzio, was a painter for court of Urbino but of no professional celebrity, he was considered to possess superior judgment.
In the court of Urbino, Raphael was exposed to some of the best artists and thinkers from around the world, Because of his father’s connections in the court, Raphael began training to be an artist.
The great fame of Michael Angelo Buonaroti, and Leonardo da Vinci, induced him to visit Florence and the careful examination of the works of those eminent artists enlarges his ideas and enabled him to improve his style.
After residence of some time at Florence Raphael, was recalled to Urbino by the death of his parents. He remained there to execute some works for the duke and the churches and then return to Florence where he continued his laborers and studies.
His reputation afterwards called him to Rome in 1509, where Pope Julius II, employed him in decorating with frescoes the chambers of the Vatican. Pope hired Raphael as scriptor brevium. It was here that he first displayed the full extent of his admirable genius; and his pictures of the doctors of the churches and the school of Athens are still regarded as some of the most wonderful production of the art.
Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino
