Learn about the work and life of Raphael, one of the most famous artists of Italy's High Renaissance, by reading this biography. Then, have students make their own masterpieces in the style of fresco painting.
Grades:
9
Themes:
Artist

Born: 6 April 1483
Died: 6 April 1520
Birthplace: Urbino, Duchy of Urbino (Italy)
Best known as: High Renaissance painter of The School of Athens
Raphael, like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, is one of the most famous artists of Italy's High Renaissance and one of the greatest influences in the history of Western art. Immensely talented, he first studied with his father and then as an assistant to the great master Pietro Vannucci, known as Perugino. Raphael (also known as Raffaello Sanzio) worked in Florence (1504) and earned a reputation as a productive and much-admired painter before going to Rome sometime after 1508. In Rome he was commissioned by Pope Julius II to create the large-scale fresco The School of Athens, as well as other decorative work at the Vatican. Raphael also took over as architect of St. Peter's after the death of Donato Bramante (1514), contributed ten tapestries to the Sistine Chapel and painted some of the most prized and reproduced holy pictures of the era, including The Sistine Madonna and Transfiguration. His work is often cited for its harmony and balance of composition, and his early death (on his 37th birthday) is considered by many experts to be one of the great tragedies of art history.
Extra credit: The 19th century artists known as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and including poet/painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti, sought to advance the style of Italian art that preceded Raphael... Michelangelo was notoriously cranky and Raphael was famously amiable -- they did not associate with one another, even though they both worked in Rome at the same time... Raphael's famous signature, RVSM, stood for "Raphael Vrbinus Sua Mano" (Raphael of Urbino, His Hand).

Copyright © 1998-2006 by Who2?, LLC. All rights reserved.

Extension Activity

Featured High School Resources

lesson plans for animal farm - kit for a complete unit on the novel

LESSON PLANS

Animal Farm Teaching Unit Kit

Everything you need to teach a full or partial unit on Animal Farm Help your students dive into the modern relevance, m...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER
Romeo and Juliet Teaching Unit Kit

LESSON PLANS

Romeo and Juliet Teaching Unit Kit

A complete teaching kit for a full or partial unit on Romeo and Juliet Take your students on a thought-provoking, insig...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER
Poetry Packet for High School

ACTIVITIES

National Poetry Month Themed Packet for High School

To celebrate Poetry Month, this resource shares 3 activities that will help high school students to engage with poetry i...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

Related Resources

REFERENCE

Claude Monet - Biography

ArtistBorn: 14 November 1840Died: 5 December 1926Birthplace: Paris, FranceBest known as: Impressionist painter of water ...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

REFERENCE

Johnny Cash Biography

Country Musician / Country Singer / SongwriterBorn: 26 February 1932Died: 12 September 2003 (complications from diabetes...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

REFERENCE

Michelangelo Biography

ArtistBorn: 6 March 1475Died: 18 February 1564Birthplace: Caprese, ItalyBest known as: Master sculptor of The DavidName ...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

REFERENCE

Roger Bannister Biography

Runner / PhysicianBorn: 23 March 1929Birthplace: Harrow, Middlesex, EnglandBest known as: First human to run a sub-four-...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

REFERENCE

Wayne Gretzky Biography

Hockey Player Born: 26 January 1961 Birthplace: Brantford, Ontario, Canada Best known as: NHL legend and nine-time leag...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

REFERENCE

Che Guevara Biography

RevolutionaryBorn: 14 June 1928Died: 9 October 1967 (execution)Birthplace: Rosario, ArgentinaBest known as: Latin Americ...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER
loading gif