Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)

Raphael, born Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, was a central figure of the High Renaissance, revered for the clarity, harmony, and grace of his art. Though his life was tragically short, he left behind an extraordinary body of work that profoundly influenced Western art. He was born in Urbino, Italy, a cultural hub, and his father was a painter, which gave him an early introduction to art. This early training set the stage for his rapid ascent. Moving to Florence around 1504, Rap…