Raphael: the rise and dominance of a Renaissance prodigy, 1483-1520
Explore the life, work and historical context of Raphael, the artist who is still, to this day, seen as the very epitome of Renaissance ideals. From his early life, to his work for powerful patrons, his influences and rivalries with the likes of Michelangelo, get to understand the world of High Renaissance Italy with Raphael's art and life as your guide.
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This course will explore, in detail, an artist that to this day is still seen as the very epitome of the ideals that aligned themselves with the term – Renaissance. Over a ten-week period we will chart the rise of Raphael beginning before his birth with the work of his father Giovanni Santi (c. 1435 – 1494) to the introduction of Raphael into the Santi studio.
The course will then move on to the early works and the question of influence beyond his father’s workshop looking at contemporary artists in Raphael’s milieu, such as Perugino and the part they may or may not have played in those early formative years of Raphael’s artistic development. Raphael’s obsession with drawing and the integral part it played in his invention, design and printed works will also be explored in this ten-week course, but the tumultuous period of the Renaissance and Raphael’s part in it cannot be told without reference to Michelangelo and Leonardo both of whom he crossed paths with, nor can it be told without the competition that ensued between these great Renaissance masters.
All will be revealed in this course, including the triumph of the Vatican frescoes, the patronage of the popes, the acrimonious battle between Raphael and Michelangelo, through to Raphael’s final years and the legacy of his life and works that will take us out of the sixteenth century and into early years of the seventeenth century where this survey will end.
What will we cover?
Raphael the Early Years: From Divine Birth to his Father’s Studio
The Raphael Workshop: Beyond his father and the influence of Perugino
Raphael and the Antique: A Secular and Religious Life
Raphael and the Art of Disegno: Divine Inspiration
Raphael: In the Orbit of Michelangelo and Leonardo
The Circle of Raphael – Influential Friends
Raphael and High Renaissance: The Florentine Years
Raphael and the Popes: Portraiture and Patronage
Raphael and High Renaissance Fresco: The Vatican Years
Raphael: Competition and Legacy – The Final Years
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Discuss major aspects of Raphael's art and career
Understand the complex artistic, social and political context of the Italian Renaissance
Explain the historical significance and influence of Raphael
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, activities and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course. These handouts will be posted via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
Leslie Primo has spent more than 15 years giving lectures to the general public at the National Gallery for the Information and Education departments. During this time he graduated with a degree in History of Art and an MA in Renaissance Studies from Birkbeck, University College of London. In his studies he specialised in early Medieval and Renaissance studies, including, Italian Renaissance Drawing, Art and Architecture in Europe 1250-1400 Art and Architecture in Europe 1400-1500, Medici and Patronage, Narrative Painting in the Age of Giotto, and the work of Peter Paul Rubens focusing on his paintings of the Judgement of Paris, and Greek Myth in paintings. He is also an accredited Art Society lecturer.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/raphael-the-rise-and-dominance-of-a-renaissance-prodigy-1483-15202997707Raphael: the rise and dominance of a Renaissance prodigy, 1483-1520https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/r/a/raphae_1.jpg259259GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world22851136117718891228511771136<p>Explore the life, work and historical context of Raphael, the artist who is still, to this day, seen as the very epitome of Renaissance ideals. From his early life, to his work for powerful patrons, his influences and rivalries with the likes of Michelangelo, get to understand the world of High Renaissance Italy with Raphael's art and life as your guide.</p>002997698Raphael: the rise and dominance of a Renaissance prodigy, 1483-1520259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/r/a/raphae_1_1.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-22T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB248259259Raphael: the rise and dominance of a Renaissance prodigy, 1483-1520207168259Leslie Primoraphael-the-rise-and-dominance-of-a-renaissance-prodigy-1483-1520/vb248-2526<p>Explore the life, work and historical context of Raphael, the artist who is still, to this day, seen as the very epitome of Renaissance ideals. From his early life, to his work for powerful patrons, his influences and rivalries with the likes of Michelangelo, get to understand the world of High Renaissance Italy with Raphael's art and life as your guide.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-22 00:00:00<p>This course will explore, in detail, an artist that to this day is still seen as the very epitome of the ideals that aligned themselves with the term – Renaissance. Over a ten-week period we will chart the rise of Raphael beginning before his birth with the work of his father Giovanni Santi (c. 1435 – 1494) to the introduction of Raphael into the Santi studio.</p><p>The course will then move on to the early works and the question of influence beyond his father’s workshop looking at contemporary artists in Raphael’s milieu, such as Perugino and the part they may or may not have played in those early formative years of Raphael’s artistic development. Raphael’s obsession with drawing and the integral part it played in his invention, design and printed works will also be explored in this ten-week course, but the tumultuous period of the Renaissance and Raphael’s part in it cannot be told without reference to Michelangelo and Leonardo both of whom he crossed paths with, nor can it be told without the competition that ensued between these great Renaissance masters.</p><p>All will be revealed in this course, including the triumph of the Vatican frescoes, the patronage of the popes, the acrimonious battle between Raphael and Michelangelo, through to Raphael’s final years and the legacy of his life and works that will take us out of the sixteenth century and into early years of the seventeenth century where this survey will end.</p><p>Explore the life, work and historical context of Raphael, the artist who is still, to this day, seen as the very epitome of Renaissance ideals. From his early life, to his work for powerful patrons, his influences and rivalries with the likes of Michelangelo, get to understand the world of High Renaissance Italy with Raphael's art and life as your guide.</p><ul><li>Raphael the Early Years: From Divine Birth to his Father’s Studio</li><li>The Raphael Workshop: Beyond his father and the influence of Perugino</li><li>Raphael and the Antique: A Secular and Religious Life</li><li>Raphael and the Art of Disegno: Divine Inspiration</li><li>Raphael: In the Orbit of Michelangelo and Leonardo</li><li>The Circle of Raphael – Influential Friends</li><li>Raphael and High Renaissance: The Florentine Years</li><li>Raphael and the Popes: Portraiture and Patronage</li><li>Raphael and High Renaissance Fresco: The Vatican Years</li><li>Raphael: Competition and Legacy – The Final Years</li></ul><p>Discuss major aspects of Raphael's art and career</p><p>Understand the complex artistic, social and political context of the Italian Renaissance</p><p>Explain the historical significance and influence of Raphael</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, activities and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course. These handouts will be posted via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>Michelangelo, the High Renaissance to Mannerism</p><p> </p>Art historyEarly modern worldvirtual207259168VB248NONEWed22/04/26 - 24/06/2610:30 - 12:3010:3012:3010 sessions (over 10 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetLeslie PrimoBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-22T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities259259Raphael: the rise and dominance of a Renaissance prodigy, 1483-1520raphael-the-rise-and-dominance-of-a-renaissance-prodigy-1483-1520/vb248-2526<p>Explore the life, work and historical context of Raphael, the artist who is still, to this day, seen as the very epitome of Renaissance ideals. From his early life, to his work for powerful patrons, his influences and rivalries with the likes of Michelangelo, get to understand the world of High Renaissance Italy with Raphael's art and life as your guide.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-22 00:00:00<p>This course will explore, in detail, an artist that to this day is still seen as the very epitome of the ideals that aligned themselves with the term – Renaissance. Over a ten-week period we will chart the rise of Raphael beginning before his birth with the work of his father Giovanni Santi (c. 1435 – 1494) to the introduction of Raphael into the Santi studio.</p><p>The course will then move on to the early works and the question of influence beyond his father’s workshop looking at contemporary artists in Raphael’s milieu, such as Perugino and the part they may or may not have played in those early formative years of Raphael’s artistic development. Raphael’s obsession with drawing and the integral part it played in his invention, design and printed works will also be explored in this ten-week course, but the tumultuous period of the Renaissance and Raphael’s part in it cannot be told without reference to Michelangelo and Leonardo both of whom he crossed paths with, nor can it be told without the competition that ensued between these great Renaissance masters.</p><p>All will be revealed in this course, including the triumph of the Vatican frescoes, the patronage of the popes, the acrimonious battle between Raphael and Michelangelo, through to Raphael’s final years and the legacy of his life and works that will take us out of the sixteenth century and into early years of the seventeenth century where this survey will end.</p><p>Explore the life, work and historical context of Raphael, the artist who is still, to this day, seen as the very epitome of Renaissance ideals. From his early life, to his work for powerful patrons, his influences and rivalries with the likes of Michelangelo, get to understand the world of High Renaissance Italy with Raphael's art and life as your guide.</p><ul><li>Raphael the Early Years: From Divine Birth to his Father’s Studio</li><li>The Raphael Workshop: Beyond his father and the influence of Perugino</li><li>Raphael and the Antique: A Secular and Religious Life</li><li>Raphael and the Art of Disegno: Divine Inspiration</li><li>Raphael: In the Orbit of Michelangelo and Leonardo</li><li>The Circle of Raphael – Influential Friends</li><li>Raphael and High Renaissance: The Florentine Years</li><li>Raphael and the Popes: Portraiture and Patronage</li><li>Raphael and High Renaissance Fresco: The Vatican Years</li><li>Raphael: Competition and Legacy – The Final Years</li></ul><p>Discuss major aspects of Raphael's art and career</p><p>Understand the complex artistic, social and political context of the Italian Renaissance</p><p>Explain the historical significance and influence of Raphael</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, activities and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course. These handouts will be posted via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>Michelangelo, the High Renaissance to Mannerism</p><p> </p>Art historyEarly modern worldconfigurable
18891136Early modern worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/early-modern-world1/2/285/1177/1136/18891/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world
