Raphael was born on April 6th. He also died on April 6th.
During those 37 years, he produced 184 masterpieces.
However, there’s something most people miss about his life—and it changes how we see the Renaissance. 🧵
During those 37 years, he produced 184 masterpieces.
However, there’s something most people miss about his life—and it changes how we see the Renaissance. 🧵
We picture Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael as equals.
But during his own time, Raphael wasn’t just admired—he was worshipped.
And it all began with a prince, a prophecy, and a Vatican power play…
But during his own time, Raphael wasn’t just admired—he was worshipped.
And it all began with a prince, a prophecy, and a Vatican power play…
Raphael was born in 1483 in Urbino, a small town that punched far above its weight in art and philosophy.
His father was a court painter. Raphael likely grew up around the Urbino court, where his father, Giovanni Santi, worked as a painter.
By age 11, both of his parents had died, leaving him orphaned at a young age.
By the time Raphael was 17, he was a master himself.
His father was a court painter. Raphael likely grew up around the Urbino court, where his father, Giovanni Santi, worked as a painter.
By age 11, both of his parents had died, leaving him orphaned at a young age.
By the time Raphael was 17, he was a master himself.
But he didn’t stay local. He moved to Florence, then got summoned to Rome in his 20s by the Pope.
By then, Michelangelo was already painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
By then, Michelangelo was already painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Raphael? He got a different job—painting the Pope’s private library.
That library became the Stanze di Raffaello, or Raphael Rooms—now some of the most visited art in the world.
Raphael had replaced his own teacher Perugino and outmaneuvered rivals like Michelangelo to become the Pope’s favorite artist.
That library became the Stanze di Raffaello, or Raphael Rooms—now some of the most visited art in the world.
Raphael had replaced his own teacher Perugino and outmaneuvered rivals like Michelangelo to become the Pope’s favorite artist.
One fresco in particular changed everything.
The School of Athens.
You’ve probably seen it. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle gather in a grand hall.
But here’s what most people miss: Raphael added portraits of his rivals into the painting.
The School of Athens.
You’ve probably seen it. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle gather in a grand hall.
But here’s what most people miss: Raphael added portraits of his rivals into the painting.
Plato? That’s Leonardo da Vinci.
Heraclitus? That’s Michelangelo—shown sulking in the shadows.
Raphael was charming, but he knew how to play the game.
Heraclitus? That’s Michelangelo—shown sulking in the shadows.
Raphael was charming, but he knew how to play the game.
He ran a workshop with 50 assistants—delegating like a Renaissance CEO.
Two of his top protégés? Giulio Romano and Gianfrancesco Penni.
And if Giulio Romano’s name rings a bell, it's probably because you’ve been stunned by this ceiling fresco: 👇
Two of his top protégés? Giulio Romano and Gianfrancesco Penni.
And if Giulio Romano’s name rings a bell, it's probably because you’ve been stunned by this ceiling fresco: 👇
Raphael’s The Holy Family of Francis I depicts the Virgin Mary, infant Jesus, Saint Elizabeth, and young John the Baptist.
While all appear in the Bible, they are never together as children.
Raphael may have been hinting at an apocalyptic message—perhaps inspired by a 1524 prophecy that predicted the end of the world.
The painting was signed by Raphael but likely completed by his workshop.
While all appear in the Bible, they are never together as children.
Raphael may have been hinting at an apocalyptic message—perhaps inspired by a 1524 prophecy that predicted the end of the world.
The painting was signed by Raphael but likely completed by his workshop.
Raphael's fame spread. His personality made him beloved by patrons.
And his talent? Even his enemies couldn’t deny it.
And his talent? Even his enemies couldn’t deny it.
But while Michelangelo was reclusive and combative, Raphael was adored.
Even Pope Leo X preferred him.
That rivalry never faded—and neither did the tension.
Even Pope Leo X preferred him.
That rivalry never faded—and neither did the tension.
Then came the shock.
On April 6, 1520—his 37th birthday—Raphael died suddenly.
Some said fever. Others whispered about a romantic encounter gone wrong.
Rome went into mourning.
On April 6, 1520—his 37th birthday—Raphael died suddenly.
Some said fever. Others whispered about a romantic encounter gone wrong.
Rome went into mourning.
Even Pope Leo X was shaken.
Cracks had appeared in Raphael’s Vatican rooms days before his death. The Pope temporarily relocated—interpreting them as a divine omen.
Cracks had appeared in Raphael’s Vatican rooms days before his death. The Pope temporarily relocated—interpreting them as a divine omen.
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In 1754, Augustus III of Saxony acquired Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and displayed it in Dresden’s Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister.
During World War II, the Nazis seized the painting and transported it by train to Moscow.
A Soviet officer later uncovered its location and returned it to Germany after a thorough investigation involving multiple witnesses.
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In 1754, Augustus III of Saxony acquired Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and displayed it in Dresden’s Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister.
During World War II, the Nazis seized the painting and transported it by train to Moscow.
A Soviet officer later uncovered its location and returned it to Germany after a thorough investigation involving multiple witnesses.
Raphael was buried in the Pantheon, just as he wished.
His epitaph reads:
"Here lies Raphael. When he was alive, Nature feared being outdone. Now that he is dead, she fears she may die."
His epitaph reads:
"Here lies Raphael. When he was alive, Nature feared being outdone. Now that he is dead, she fears she may die."
And here’s the twist most people forget:
For centuries after, Raphael—not Michelangelo or Leonardo—was seen as the ideal.
He was the blueprint. The standard. The master every other artist tried to match.
For centuries after, Raphael—not Michelangelo or Leonardo—was seen as the ideal.
He was the blueprint. The standard. The master every other artist tried to match.
Why?
Because Raphael captured the Renaissance ideal: harmony, beauty, balance.
Not tortured genius or eccentric obsession.
But elegance and grace.
Because Raphael captured the Renaissance ideal: harmony, beauty, balance.
Not tortured genius or eccentric obsession.
But elegance and grace.
Raphael was born and died on April 6th.
He lived just 37 years.
But in that time, he reshaped art—and left a legacy Rome still worships.
A golden boy whose star never really faded.
He lived just 37 years.
But in that time, he reshaped art—and left a legacy Rome still worships.
A golden boy whose star never really faded.
If this thread gave you a new way to see Raphael, I share more stories like this every week.
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Which of Raphael's works is your favorite?
Follow for deep dives into hidden art history, overlooked genius, and culture → @CultureExploreX
Which of Raphael's works is your favorite?
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