RAPHAEL, or RAFFAELLO SANTI, or SANZIO, called by his countrymen n "the divine," is ranked by almost universal opinion as the greatest of painters. He was b. at Urbino iu 1483• and in 1497, on the death of his father, Giovanni &Hifi, who was his first instructor, he was placed under Pietro Perngino, the most distinguished painter of the period, who was then engaged on important works in the city a Perugia. In 1504 Raphael visited improved his style by studying composition and expression in the works of Masaccio, and color and effect in those of Fra Bartolomeo. He seems to have lived in Florence till 1508, when lie went to Rome on the invitation of pope Julius Ii. • His celebrated frescoes in the Vatican and numerous important works were then commenced. Julius died in 1513, but his successor, Leo X., continued Raphael's services, and kept his great powers constantly in exercise. The works of Raphael are generallydivided into three classes: His first style, when tinder the influence of Perugino s manner; his second, when he painted in Florence from 1504 to 1509; and his third style, which is distinguishable in the works executed by him after he settled in Rome. Each of these styles has its devoted admirers. Those who incline to art employed in the service of religion prefer the first manner, as embodying purity and religious feeling. His last manner, perfected when the taste for classical learning and
art was strongly excited by the disCovery of numerous valuable works of the classic period, is held by many connoisseurs as correctly embodying the highest art; while his middle, or Florentine style is admired by some as exemplifying his powers, freed from what the rigid manlier of Perugino, and untainted by the conventionalism of classic art. In all these different styles he has left works of great excellence. " The Coronation of the Virgin," in the gallery of the Vatican, and "The Sposalizio," or Marriage of the Virgin, in the Brera gallery at Milan, belong to the first period. The " St. Catharine," in the national gallery. London; " The Entombment," in the Borghese " La Belle Jardinii•re.' in the Louvre, to his second period. While the ' St. 'Cecilia," at Bologna; the " Madonna di San Sisto," at Dresden; " The Cartoons," at Hampton court ; "The Transfiguration," and all the Vatican frescoes, except '• Theology ; or, the Dispute on the Sacrament," the first ho. executed on his arrival from Florence, are in his third manner, or that which peculiarly marks the Roman school in its highest development. Raphael died at Rome on April 6th, 1520, the anni versary of his birthday.