Raphael Lecture Notes

Raphael: Master of the Italian Renaissance

Introduction

  • Raphael was born in Urbino, near Florence, Italy.
  • He spent most of his artistic career in Florence and Rome.
  • In Florence, he quickly gained success.
  • Pope Julius II commissioned Raphael to create works for private and public (stanzas) rooms in the Papal residence.
  • Examples include "The School of Athens" and "The Disputa."
  • Raphael managed many commissions by outsourcing work to trusted artists, then adding final touches.
  • He had a meticulously organized artist studio.
  • Raphael died at the age of 37.

Lesson Objectives

  • Analyze the composition and figures of Raphael's paintings in the Vatican.
  • Recognize the style of the Small Cowper Madonna.
  • Analyze Raphael's painting, The School of Athens.
  • Recognize the painting Pope Leo the Tenth with Cardinals.

Key Terms

  • Trompe l'oeil: A French term meaning "fool or trick of the eye."
  • Arch
  • Tapestry

The Disputa

  • A fresco in one of the papal residencies.
  • Features an arch created using trompe l'oeil, creating an illusion of depth.
  • Depicts the dome of heaven.
  • God and Jesus are seated with John the Baptist, Mary, and saints.
  • Represents heaven as a peaceful, unified world.
  • Below, the earthly world is populated by figures who long to be in union with the heavens.
  • Demonstrates Raphael's religious commissions, the use of trompe l'oeil, and large-scale work.

The Small Cowper Madonna

  • Cowper refers to a previous owner of the artwork.
  • Madonna refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus in the Christian faith.
  • Shows Raphael's fine, detailed artistic approach.
  • Reflects the influence of Leonardo da Vinci.
  • Mary and Jesus are situated in a pyramidal or triangular composition.
  • The gaze of their eyes reinforces this pyramidal structure.
  • Implements chiaroscuro: the use of very light lights and very dark darks.
  • This contrast emphasizes the three-dimensionality of the subjects.

The School of Athens

  • Located in the same room as The Disputa.
  • References the Golden Age in ancient Athens, a period of heightened ideals and philosophies.
  • Linear perspective leads the eye to the center of the painting.
  • Features the philosophers Plato and Aristotle.
  • Architectural references to classical antiquity include columns, pedestals, coffered ceilings, and barrel vaults.
  • Includes the Greek gods Apollo (sunlight, rationality, arts) and Minerva (wisdom, mechanical arts).
  • Michelangelo is believed to be portrayed in the painting, showing reverence for a colleague/competitor.
  • Plato points upwards, believing in ideal forms from the heavens.
  • Aristotle's hand is extended, palm facing down, referencing the earth, believing knowledge comes from scientific inquiry.

Pope Leo the Tenth with Cardinals

  • Pope Leo X was the successor of Julius II.
  • Cardinals are below the Pope in the Catholic church hierarchy (Priests -> Bishops -> Cardinals -> Pope).
  • The painting evokes a sense of uneasiness and anxiety.
  • This is enhanced by the use of deep, dark colors.

Review of Objectives

  • Analyze the composition and figures of Raphael's paintings in the Vatican.
  • Recognize the style of the Small Cowper Madonna.
  • Analyze Raphael's painting the School of Athens.
  • Recognize the painting Pope Leo the Tenth with Cardinals.

Raphael's Transfiguration

  • Depicts Christ ascending to heaven.
  • Features a pyramidal composition.
  • Heavy use of light and shadow, influenced by chiaroscuro, shows possible influences from Leonardo da Vinci.
  • Emphasizes atmospheric perspective.