This seminar focuses on the art of Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio of Urbino, 1483–1520). This High Renaissance painter lived most of his life in Rome, the “eternal city.” Under the influence of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, Raphael composed works of art that were infused with atmospheric perspective, softened color transitions (sfumato), brilliance of color, anatomical accuracy, and grazia (grace). His graceful forms and designs moved viewers and influenced artists throughout succeeding centuries, in particular the British Academy of Joshua Reynolds, the Pre-Raphaelite painters, and the artists of the Nazarene movement. The seminar will discuss Raphael’s drawings, paintings and architecture as well as the impact of his art as disseminated through the printmaking of Marcantonio Raimondi.

Class Recordings:

Class 1 - Feb 3

Class 2 - Feb 10

Class 3 - Feb 17

Class 4 - Feb 24

Class 5 - March 10

Class 6 - March 17

Suggested Reading:

For profiles and images of the artists, see links in Google and Wikipedia.
Giorgio Vasari, Life of Raphael from the Lives of the Artists, online.
Stephanie Story, Raphael, Painter in Rome, A Novel (Arcade, 2020).
Clauda La Malfa, Raphael and the Antique (Reaktion Books, 2020).
Frank Roy Fraphie, The Raphael Book (The Forgotten Books, 2017).