Together with Leonardo and Michelangelo, Raphael was the dominating influence in the Italian Renaissance. He was known as a painter as early as 1500.

His artistic life began in the workshop of his teacher, Pietro Perugino. During a four-year stay in Florence (1504–1508) he had an intensive encounter with the works of Leonardo and Michelangelo. In Rome Raphael entered the service of the Vatican, for which he painted the frescos for the Stanza della Segnatura from 1509 onwards. These are among the greatest masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance and their innovative concept of art and clear structure made them a fixed component in the training programme for art generations in subsequent centuries.

Raphael also created panel paintings with religious themes and portraits which bear testimony to his extraordinary gift of observation.

He was ultimately entrusted with the administration of the papal artistic activities. These ranged from the examination of antiquities to the superintendence of the building of St. Peter’s Cathedral. His death at the age of 37 brought to an abrupt end his unparalleled career.