The High Renaissance master revisited in a gorgeous and authoritative new monograph
A New York Times critics' pick | Best Art Books 2020
On the 500th anniversary of Raphael’s death, the Uffizi in Florence has assembled one of the world’s most ambitious exhibitions to honor the High Renaissance painter and his lasting legacy. This publication follows the trajectory of Raphael’s life and career in reverse, beginning with his early death in 1520 before highlighting his formative years between Urbino, Città di Castello, Perugia and Siena. During his relatively brief lifetime, Raphael produced masterful works with an astonishing prolificacy. In his frescoes commissioned by Pope Julius II, Raphael demonstrates an unparalleled mastery of composition and perspective, embodying the Renaissance’s spirit of idealized beauty. These frescoes, which include The School of Athens, are among the hundreds of pieces reproduced in this extensive monograph, which also features writing and research by Italy’s leading curators and art historians.
Born Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino at the onset of the Italian Renaissance, painter and architect Raphael (1483-1520) became one of the era’s—and subsequently one of history’s—most admired artists. The son of a court painter, Raphael began his career early in his hometown of Urbino and quickly became known throughout Italy for his portraiture and religious paintings. In 1508, the Pope tasked him with the redecoration of the papal apartments. He then remained in Rome for many years, continuing with his painting until he was appointed head architect of St. Peter’s Basilica in 1518. He died on what may have been his 37th birthday in Rome.
"Double Portrait (Self-portrait with a Friend)" (c. 1518–19) is reproduced from 'Raphael: 1520–1483.'
PRAISE AND REVIEWS
New York Times
Jason Farago
There’s no 2020 show I regret missing more than this one in Rome, the largest Raphael retrospective ever. As the title indicates, both exhibition and catalog proceed in reverse chronological order. From the epic funeral procession after Raphael’s death on his 37th birthday, we rewind through his indelible portraits of the Medici pope Leo X and the courtier Baldassare Castiglione, past his grand “School of Athens,” to his first, hesitant figure studies in Urbino. This a posteriori saga gives us a refreshed Raphael, whose psychological acuity feels newly approachable.
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This early-sixteenth-century portrait of the noted Italian author, courtier and diplomat Baldassarre Castiglione—who helped Renaissance master Raphael pen his famous 1519 letter to Pope Leo X, advocating for the conservation and restoration of classical Roman art and architecture—is reproduced from Raphael: 1520–1483. Published to accompany the quincentennial of the artist's death in 2020, this volume was selected by The New York Times's Jason Farago as one of the best art books of the year: "There’s no 2020 show I regret missing more than this one in Rome," he writes, "the largest Raphael retrospective ever. As the title indicates, both exhibition and catalog proceed in reverse chronological order. From the epic funeral procession after Raphael’s death on his 37th birthday, we rewind through his indelible portraits of the Medici pope Leo X and the courtier Baldassare Castiglione, past his grand “School of Athens,” to his first, hesitant figure studies in Urbino. This a posteriori saga gives us a refreshed Raphael, whose psychological acuity feels newly approachable." continue to blog
FORMAT: Hbk, 9.5 x 11 in. / 544 pgs / 464 color. LIST PRICE: U.S. $65.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $92 ISBN: 9788857243092 PUBLISHER: Skira AVAILABLE: 2/23/2021 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: Out of stock TERRITORY: NA LA
Published by Skira. Edited by Marzia Faietti & Matteo Lafranconi.
The High Renaissance master revisited in a gorgeous and authoritative new monograph
A New York Times critics' pick | Best Art Books 2020
On the 500th anniversary of Raphael’s death, the Uffizi in Florence has assembled one of the world’s most ambitious exhibitions to honor the High Renaissance painter and his lasting legacy. This publication follows the trajectory of Raphael’s life and career in reverse, beginning with his early death in 1520 before highlighting his formative years between Urbino, Città di Castello, Perugia and Siena. During his relatively brief lifetime, Raphael produced masterful works with an astonishing prolificacy. In his frescoes commissioned by Pope Julius II, Raphael demonstrates an unparalleled mastery of composition and perspective, embodying the Renaissance’s spirit of idealized beauty. These frescoes, which include The School of Athens, are among the hundreds of pieces reproduced in this extensive monograph, which also features writing and research by Italy’s leading curators and art historians.
Born Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino at the onset of the Italian Renaissance, painter and architect Raphael (1483-1520) became one of the era’s—and subsequently one of history’s—most admired artists. The son of a court painter, Raphael began his career early in his hometown of Urbino and quickly became known throughout Italy for his portraiture and religious paintings. In 1508, the Pope tasked him with the redecoration of the papal apartments. He then remained in Rome for many years, continuing with his painting until he was appointed head architect of St. Peter’s Basilica in 1518. He died on what may have been his 37th birthday in Rome.
