RAFFAEL DA URBINO

A master of Baroque L. Bernini considered the first among the great Raphael, and likened his "great sea, absorbing water of all rivers. "

"Nature has made the world the gift, when, being defeated by the art of Michelangelo Buonarroti, she wanted to be defeated by both skill and courtesy of Raphael. He won all his affability and art - written by Giorgio Vasari - but most of all his genius of good nature, full of generosity and Mercy . . . "

Raphael was born on April 6, 1483 in family court poet and painter, Giovanni Santi urbinskih Dukes. Family of Rafael could not boast of antiquity kind - his ancestors came from a small town near Urbino Kolbordolo were small traders. Children and youth have been surrounded by Rafael Art.

Giovanni Santi was the first teacher of Raphael, and he was able to instill a taste for the beautiful boy, to introduce him to the world of contemporary art. Through links father, Rafael became friendly with the son of Federigo da Montefeltro, Gvidobaldo. Throughout his life he enjoyed the friendly support and patronage of his wife, Elizabeth Gonzaga.

In 1491 Rafael lost his mother, and three years later, in 1494, his father died. Eleven-year-boy was an orphan in the care of his uncle Fra Bartolomeo, who not only cared about the fate of his nephew, how infinitely pleaded with her stepmother Rafael Bernardino. Judging by the correspondence of Raphael, warmth and closeness of kinship, he is in communion with his other uncle, brother, mother, Simon Chiarla.

After the death of his father for about five years, the boy was in the studio court painter urbinskih Dukes Timoteo Viti. Perceptive, sensitive to external influences Rafael at first drink in the surrounding artistic impressions, not the least of which is the work of its teachers.

In 1500, Rafael arrived in Perugia, where he entered the studio of Perugino, in the years leading representative of the Umbrian school. Early years of Raphael rightly called "perudzhinovskim" and note the strong dependence of the young artist from the teacher.

Roughly between 1503 and 1504 years by order of the family Albitstsini Rafael wrote for the church of San Francesco in the small town of Citta di Castello altar an image of "Betrothal of Mary" - a work that is worthy of completed early in his career.

In the song "Betrothal of Mary" all reduced to the "golden measure" (Alexander Benois), there is nothing that would distract attention from the main group of Mary and Joseph. Architectural decoration - not just an organizing space background, and the overriding basis of all composition.

In 1503 Perugino moved from his studio in Florence, where behind him in the autumn 1504 came Raphael. In Florence, Raphael is looking for new creative experiences for the further development of his art. Frames Umbrian school became too small. How vividly observed AV Vysheslavtsev, "like a bee, he collects his honey, where he finds, without losing its own identity. "

Florence Raphael came with a letter of sisters urbinskogo Duke Gvidobaldo to Gonfaloniere Florentine republic Pietro Soderini. But the support he has not found an initially modest communicate with those who were close Perugino. Thanks Perugino Raphael approached the Florentine architect and builder of Baccio d? Agnolo, in the workshop which gathered the painters, sculptors and architects of Florence. Here, the young Raphael met with the architect Kronakom, with the sculptor Andrea Sansovino and painters Graachchi, Ridolfo Ghirlandaio and Bastian da Sangallo. In the house of Baccio d? Agnolo he met his future patron Taddeo Taddei.

For four years (not counting travel then to Perugia, then in Urbino) stay in Florence Raphael created the famous painting Madonnas.

"It is not attained twenty years only one master impulse of the soul finds expression beset all his senses in a number of small paintings that solve the eternal theme - Maternity - writes I. Dolgopolov. - This is quite understandable, because, left so early without a mother, he finds a way his anguish in dreams of childhood, friendly, radiant of this period of life. Cycle inimitable in its beauty and spiritual richness, and to some lyrical Madonnas begins with our Hermitage Madonna Conestabile "(1500-1502 years), in which all the charm of youth, girl's delicate portrait of Mary, the purity of the artist's memories of childhood spent in Urbino. Then - "Madonna in Green" (1505), which is inspired by Leonardo, but it sounds clear plastic Raphael. Majestic and brooding "Madonna del Granduka" and " Madonna with Beardless Joseph "- both created in about 1505, and, finally, numbing in its tender clarified by the harmony and happiness" Madonna scheglenkom "(1506). Everything becomes stronger and more powerful sound intonation, give these paintings different from all previous artists fascinating , tremulous style, completely devoid of any dry, literary tasks.

Photo — «Raffael Da Urbino»

In short, instead of the accepted canons of illustrations for the biblical stories Rafael offers the viewer the real world, inspired by his observations, full of light and goodness. Completing this suite of "The Beautiful Gardener," which Raphael surrounds Group total radiance and joy of the scenery. themes of motherhood, femininity, beauty ideal blend into the painting, written in 1507 (the eve of departure to Rome from Florence). Raphael as if finally finds the solution of biblical themes, it is filled with real relaxed feeling of fullness of being, this earthly wonder. In his suite Madonnas early period embodied the brightest ideals of humanism of Renaissance Italy. The artist finds his own style, absorbed the best influence the school of Perugino and the great Florentines, he gives his paintings an unexpected and very charming clarity, transparency, accessibility, finding these works deserve and widely recognized. He is ready for a new, even more significant accomplishments. "

In 1507 Raphael painted "The Entombment. " The order for this work he received from the Umbrian noble ladies Atalanta Ballon. Theme was chosen by itself and associated with the death of her son, Representative titanic family Ballon.

What a majestic power emanates from the figures of those who bear the body! As it was necessary to know the anatomy and how a sense of proportion must have been to so portray the dead Christ, moved with fear before the nudity in front of the harmony, which has a human body.

As well as the Betrothal Madonna "summed up the Umbrian period, and" The Entombment "completed years of stay in Florence Raphael.

Also in 1507 the artist returned briefly in Urbino. And in 1508 Raphael was invited by Pope Julius II in Rome to paint the grand old apartment in the Vatican Palace. Subsequently, they became famous "stations" by Raphael. After the first test dad gave Raphael to paint all the planes (only for lampshades preserved paintings of other artists). In the Stanza della Senyatura (1509-1511) presented a major artist in his time of spiritual activity: Theology ("Dispute"), philosophy ("The School of Athens"), poetry ("Parnassus"), law ("The wisdom of the measure, the force" ). The most beautiful murals were created by Raphael in the Stanza della Senyatura and the station Eliodora.

The young painter had to meet the challenge: to combine art with architecture. He had to organically link the semicircular arches, framing the walls and doors and windows, breaking the plane of the walls, with the composition of frescoes. This problem, called for exceptional creativity and skill, was solved by Rafael with amazing brilliance. Frescoes Stanza della Senyatura were genuine triumph for Rafael's contemporaries recognized them as a great miracle. Sam Pope Julius II joined the ranks of fans of the talent of Raphael after the murals in the Stanza della Senyatura where special gain fame Raphael's fresco The School of Athens "," Dispute "and" Parnassus. "

Best mural station and greatest work of Raphael recognized as "School of Athens.

"This arrangement - one of the most striking evidence of the triumph of art in the Renaissance humanist ideas and their deep connections with the ancient culture. In a grand suite of stately arched spans Rafael presented a collection of ancient thinkers and scientists . . .

Expressiveness of the individual images and groups in the School of Athens reinforced composite means. So, despite the fact that Plato and Aristotle are depicted in the background, among many other participants in the scene, Rafael reached them a good selection because the most distant from the majestic arches of the suite covers only these two figures. But more importantly, that they were both shown not to stand still, and going forward, straight at the viewer. Their solemn pace, like inextricably linked with the movement of powerful architectural masses and arched spans, not only gives the main characters of the mural features a dynamic center of the composition, but also gives them enhanced by imaginative effects. Started from the bottom of this movement as it is allowed in the plane, extending in breadth and harmonically culminating in a powerful arch reaching the semi-circular frame of the fresco "(E. Rothenberg).

From 1511 to 1514 Raphael paints the next room - Station d? Eliodoro and, finally, in the years 1515-1517 - Stanza del Inchendio.

In 1513, Pope Julius II died and the papal throne Leo X. Using the friendly disposition of this clever, loving, festive glitter and bustle, do not forget life's pleasures Pope, the artist became a leading figure in the cultural life of Rome, the organizers and perpetrators of paintings and architectural works in the Vatican.

Work on the painting station, the Vatican continued, but the responsibilities of Raphael - the court artist of the new pope - has expanded greatly, and much is now done by his students on the artist's drawings and under his supervision.

Photo — «Raffael Da Urbino»

Nevertheless, during this period a number of outstanding works done by Raphael. This is mainly portraits and numerous "Madonna. "

After Bramante's death in 1514 Leo X appointed Rafael chief architect on the construction of the new Cathedral of St. . Peter, as a Commissioner he was involved in the protection of antiquities and monuments of ancient Rome census.

1510's were a time of creating the best portrait work by Raphael. Among the most famous among them is the portrait of Pope Julius II (1511). Rafael reached the greatest success if the character and appearance of the model were close to the direction of his art, as is the case with the portrait of Count Baldassare Castiglione - poet, writer and diplomat. In later portraits of the artist seeking a more specific characterization of the model. These are the "Portrait of Cardinal (c. 1518)," Portrait of Pope Leo X with Cardinals Luigi dei Rossi and Giulio dei Medici (c. 1518).

Somewhere around 1515 by Raphael visited in Rome "black monks" - the Benedictines, the representatives of a distant monastery of deaf town of Piacenza. They bought him a painting "Sistine Madonna. "

Rafael first pulls himself on the stretcher a huge canvas, without the slightest help students, wrote his masterpiece. "Sistine Madonna" - it is the apotheosis of his art and a giant one of the world's greatest creations.

Johann Joachim Winckelmann, a prominent historian and critic, gave her enthusiastic assessment: "In the royal gallery in Dresden today, among other treasures occupied a place of creation, painted by Raphael. Go look at that Madonna, for her complete innocence, and at the same time full of not just the female face of greatness, her soulful pose . . . the majestic and noble contour of her figure. "

"It's a whole world - enthusiastically write young Goethe - a great colorful world of art. One of the paintings would be more than enough to make the author's name, even if he did not create anything other immortals. "

Prominent Russian poet Vasily Zhukovsky named Raphael Madonna "heavenly mimoiduschey virgin. " And drew attention to a striking feature of this painting: "The Dame, going to heaven, no movement is not perceptible, but the more you look at it, the more it seems that it is approaching. "

". . . Madonna by Raphael is really a great product and truly eternal - wrote a famous Russian artist Kramskoy - even when humanity will cease to believe, when scientific research . . . discover the real historical features of both of these individuals, and then the picture will not lose this price but only change its role. And it will remain an irreplaceable monument of national beliefs . . . It is because Madonna herself is a creation of the imagination of the people. "

In the last five years of life to do architecture Rafael, passionate study of ancient buildings in Rome. Directs the implementation of numerous orders, are working on his disciples, which could not affect the quality of products.

About the private life of Rafael Little is known, much more legends associated with them. During the life around the personality of the artist emerged aura of fame and universal worship.

In 1514 the artist wrote one of his masterpieces - a portrait of "Donna Velata (" veiled lady "). No one knows the name of women, written by Raphael, but originated in ancient times, legend says that before us - the beloved artist, wonderful Fornarina.

According to Vasari, because she refused to Rafael advantageous marriage with a patrician. He was in love with this simple woman and life had to hide his relationship with her. There is reason to believe that the facial features charming Roman named Raphael Fornarina repeated in several of his works: the "Sistine Madonna", in Mary Magdalene ("St. Cecilia") and "Madonna of the chair. "

Vasari describes Raphael's as gifted, who lives in luxury and wealth of a man who knows how to behave in society, to maintain an academic conversation, has a pleasant appearance and refined manners, surrounded by love and universal reverence. He wrote that Raphael was endowed by nature of the humility and kindness, which "often found in those with a certain noble humanity of their nature more than others, shines in a beautiful frame affectionate friendliness are equally pleasant and welcome for anyone and under any circumstances. "

Raphael died unexpectedly after a short illness, his birthday - April 6, 1520. Many of his death was seen as the death of art - so great was the fame of the artist and the public was his honor. According to the will, Raphael was buried in the Pantheon, among the great people of Italy.