the collector's folio

Raphael Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Raphael our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Raphael · 1483 – 1520

School of Athens

Raphael’s iconic School of Athens fresco, a masterpiece of the High Renaissance, depicts ancient Greek philosophers in a stunning display of linear perspective and chiaroscuro. Explore this timeless artwork and discover a handmade oil painting reproduction.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18138 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

The Transfiguration

1520 · Vatican Museums, Vatican City

Explore Raphael’s ‘The Transfiguration,’ a monumental High Renaissance masterpiece. Witness its dramatic narrative, masterful technique & profound symbolism – a timeless work of art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$48126 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Bindo Altoviti

1515 · National Gallery of Art, Washington · original 60 x 44 cm

Discover Raphael’s "Portrait of Bindo Altoviti," a High Renaissance masterpiece! Admire its chiaroscuro technique & elegant detail. A timeless work by a legendary artist.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$23144 × 60 cm Commission at original size

The Alba Madonna

Discover Raphael’s ‘The Alba Madonna’! A timeless Renaissance masterpiece of serene devotion & exquisite beauty. Explore its symbolism & purchase a stunning high-quality reproduction.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$23132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Madonna and Child (The Tempi Madonna)

1508 · Alte Pinakothek, Munich · original 75 x 51 cm

Experience Raphael’s ‘Madonna & Child’! A masterpiece of High Renaissance tenderness, showcasing exquisite detail & serene beauty. Perfect for art lovers & collectors.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20626 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29251 × 75 cm Commission at original size

St. George and the Dragon

1506 · National Gallery of Art, Washington · original 29 x 22 cm

Discover Raphael’s ‘St. George & Dragon’! A timeless High Renaissance masterpiece – explore its dynamic composition, rich colors & heroic symbolism. Perfect for art lovers!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20627 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Marriage of the Virgin

1504 · Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan · original 170 x 117 cm

Discover Raphael’s ‘Marriage of the Virgin,’ a High Renaissance masterpiece! Admire its classical beauty, intricate details & historical significance. A timeless treasure for art lovers.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$53126 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1101117 × 170 cm Commission at original size

The Transfiguration

1519 · Vatican Pinacoteca, Vatican City · original 405 x 278 cm

Discover Raphael’s ‘The Transfiguration,’ a breathtaking High Renaissance masterpiece. Explore its divine symbolism, vibrant colors & dynamic composition – perfect for art lovers.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$53126 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

La Belle Jardiniere

1507 · The Louvre, Paris

Discover Raphael’s ‘La Belle Jardiniere,’ a stunning High Renaissance masterpiece. Admire its serene beauty & masterful technique – perfect for art lovers & collectors.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$23125 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Madonna of the Meadow

1506 · Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Explore Raphael’s ‘Madonna of the Meadow’ (1506). A High Renaissance masterpiece showcasing serene beauty & masterful technique. Discover its symbolism & timeless elegance.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20628 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Madonna with the Book (Connestabile Madonna)

1503 · The Norton Simon Museum of Art, Pasadena

Explore Raphael’s ‘Madonna with the Book’! A stunning Early Renaissance masterpiece showcasing divine maternal love & exquisite detail. Perfect for art collectors.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20632 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Madonna della Seggiola (Sedia)

1514 · Palazzo Pitti, Florence · original 71 x 71 cm

Discover Raphael’s ‘Madonna della Seggiola,’ a stunning High Renaissance masterpiece. Explore its beauty, history & Medici connections – perfect for art lovers!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$23131 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$35471 × 71 cm Commission at original size

Self Portrait

1506 · Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence · original 45 x 33 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19633 × 45 cm Commission at original size

Madonna and Child (The Ansidei Altarpiece)

1505 · National Gallery, London · original 210 x 149 cm

Admire Raphael's masterpiece, 'Madonna and Child (The Ansidei Altarpiece)', a stunning depiction of Mary and Christ commissioned for Perugia’s Sant’Antonio church. Explore its historical significance & location at The National Gallery.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18126 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1090149 × 210 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Julius II

1512 · Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence · original 109 x 80 cm

Experience Raphael's iconic 'Portrait of Pope Julius II'! This masterpiece captures the power and introspection of the Renaissance pope, a pivotal work of art history.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$41580 × 109 cm Commission at original size

The Sistine Madonna

Raphael

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

The Canigiani Madonna

1507 · Alte Pinakothek, Munich · original 131 x 107 cm

Discover Raphael's serene "The Canigiani Madonna" (1507). This High Renaissance masterpiece showcases the Holy Family in a harmonious landscape, blending soft colors & divine grace. Own a hand-painted reproduction today!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$575107 × 131 cm Commission at original size

Young Man with an Apple

1505 · Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence · original 47 x 35 cm

This painting exemplifies humanist ideals, showcasing Raphael’s meticulous technique on poplar panel and its enduring legacy as a symbol of virtue.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$20135 × 47 cm Commission at original size

The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist

1513 · Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna · original 154.5 x 114.0cm

This High Renaissance oil painting by Raphael shows a tender Holy Family. Explore this masterpiece of grace and beauty today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$25627 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$757114 × 155 cm Commission at original size

Stanze Vaticane - The Fire in the Borgo (detail) [01]

Explore Raphael’s ‘The Fire in the Borgo,’ a dramatic High Renaissance fresco masterpiece from the Vatican. Witness classical allusions & historical depth – a captivating work of art.

View the artwork

The Holy Family

1518 · Museo del Prado, Madrid · original 147.4 x 116.0cm

A serene High Renaissance scene by Raphael depicts the Holy Family. Explore this masterpiece of divine grace and harmony today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$25628 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$742116 × 147 cm Commission at original size

Self-Portrait with a Friend

Raphael

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Madonna and Child (The Small Cowper Madonna)

1504 · National Gallery of Art, Washington · original 58 x 43 cm

Raphael's work is characterized by its harmony and balance, which are evident in this painting. The composition is symmetrical, with the Virgin Mary at the center, creating a sense of stability and peace. The use of soft colors and gentle lines enhances the overall serenity of the artwork.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$22743 × 58 cm Commission at original size

St. George and the Dragon

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Stanze Vaticane - The Liberation of St Peter (detail) [02]

Witness Raphael's masterpiece, 'The Liberation of St Peter,' a stunning fresco detail from the Vatican Stanze. Explore its biblical narrative, Renaissance artistry & divine light – a timeless work of art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 568 artworks by Raphael
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Raphael

1483 – 1520

Quick facts

Museums on APSThe Louvre, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Alte Pinakothek, Walters Art Museum, Kunsthistorisches Museum
Top 3 worksSchool of Athens, The Transfiguration, Portrait of Bindo Altoviti
Mediumsoil on canvas, acrylic on canvas
Room fitliving room
NationalityItaly
Copyright statusPublic domain
Top-ranked workSchool of Athens
Also known asRaffaello Sanzio da Urbino, Santi Raphael, Raffale Sanzio, Rafael Sanzio, رفائيل

Biography

The Life and Identity of Raphael

Raphael, known to history by several names including Raffaello Sanzio, Raffaello Santi, and Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, was a central figure of the Italian High Renaissance. His life was defined by a dual mastery of painting and architecture, a versatility that allowed him to move seamlessly between the intimate scale of a portrait and the monumental demands of papal construction. He was born in Urbino, Italy, on April 6, 1483, into a world of intellectual and artistic activity.

His career was marked by an immense productivity that required the management of a large workshop to meet the needs of his patrons. This professional capacity was matched by a social grace that allowed him to navigate the highest circles of the papal court. He moved through the major artistic centers of Italy, eventually settling in Rome, where his influence on the physical and visual landscape of the city was profound. He was a man of significant social standing, often engaging with the political and religious leaders of his age.

The arc of his life was cut short in Rome, Papal States, Italy. He died on April 6, 1520, at the age of 37. His passing was felt deeply within the papal court, marking the end of a career that had already reshaped the standards of classical composition and architectural design. He left behind a vast body of work that remains a primary reference for the study of Renaissance ideals.

Early Life, Family and Training

The quiet, intellectual atmosphere of Urbino provided the foundation for the young Raffaello Sanzio. He was born into a world of courtly refinement, the son of Giovanni Santi and Magia di Battista Ciarla. His father, a painter for the Duke, ensured that the boy’s early years were steeped in the humanist traditions of the Italian courts. This environment offered more than just a home; it provided a window into the advanced artistic ideas flowing through central Italy. When tragedy struck and his father passed away in 1494, the boy was only eleven. This loss forced a premature maturity upon him, as he found himself tasked with managing the family workshop.

His formal artistic education took him to the workshop of Pietro Perugino in Perugia. Under this master, he absorbed the Umbrian style, a method defined by soft modeling and serene religious scenes. The training was rigorous and effective. By the time he was recognized as an independent master around 1500, his hand already showed a certain clarity and ease. He moved through the cities of northern Italy, gathering knowledge like a traveler collecting coins, before the pull of larger artistic centers began to reshape his vision.

The Florentine Period and Artistic Growth

Upon his arrival in Florence in 1504, the young painter entered a city defined by the presence of giants. He did not merely exist alongside the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo; he absorbed them. His development was shaped by a careful study of their distinct approaches, alongside the influences of Fra Bartolommeo and Masaccio. This period was less a departure from his Umbrian roots and more a sophisticated synthesis of the Florentine style. He took the anatomical precision and dramatic weight of his contemporaries and integrated them into a more balanced, clear visual language.

This era saw him refine his ability to capture the human presence through both religious and secular lenses. Between 1504 and 1507, he produced a series of Madonnas that demonstrated a growing mastery of composition and emotional clarity. During these years, he also established himself as a noted portraitist, moving beyond simple likeness to capture a sense of dignity in his subjects. His work from this time reflects a transition from the gentler traditions of his apprenticeship toward the monumental clarity that would later define his career in Rome.

Marriage of the Virgin (1504)
Young Man with an Apple (1505)
St. George and the Dragon (1506)
La Belle Jardinière (1507)

The Roman Years and Papal Patronage

The summons from Pope Julius II in 1508 altered the course of Raphael's life, drawing him from the competitive atmosphere of Florence to the monumental scale of Rome. He arrived in the Eternal City not merely as a painter, but as a central figure in the visual language of the Papacy. His presence in the Vatican was marked by an immense productivity that saw him become the most favored artist in Rome. He was tasked with the decoration of the papal apartments, a responsibility that required him to balance intimate devotional subjects with grand, historical narratives. This period saw him move beyond the easel to take on significant architectural responsibilities. Following the death of Donato Bramante in 1514, he was appointed architect in charge of St. Peter's, a position that reflected the immense trust placed in his ability to organize and execute complex, large-scale projects.

His influence extended through the reigns of successive Popes, including Leo X, as he navigated the intricate social and political hierarchies of the papal court. The scale of his commissions grew alongside his reputation, requiring him to manage an unusually large workshop to meet the demands of his patrons. While his early years were defined by the pursuit of grace, his Roman years were defined by the pursuit of order and monumental grandeur. He became a fixture of the Vatican, his hand visible in the very fabric of the city's most sacred spaces.

The School of Athens (undated)
The Transfiguration (commissioned 1517)

Technique, Style and Artistic Vision

Raphael possessed a rare capacity to synthesize the disparate innovations of his contemporaries into a singular, coherent language. He did not merely mimic the masters he encountered in Florence; instead, he distilled their strengths. From Leonardo da Vinci, he adopted the subtle gradations of sfumato, while the anatomical precision and muscularity of Michelangelo informed his understanding of the human form. This synthesis allowed him to move beyond simple imitation, creating a style defined by clarity of form and an effortless ease of composition. His figures inhabit their spaces with a natural grace, avoiding the heavy tension that sometimes characterized the works of his peers.

His aesthetic was rooted in the Neoplatonic ideal of human grandeur, seeking to represent the dignity of the individual through balanced proportions and luminous color. He utilized chiaroscuro to provide depth and volume, yet he maintained a sense of order that prevented his scenes from becoming chaotic. This equilibrium between light and shadow, between the physical and the ideal, gave his work a sense of celestial calm. Even in his most complex historical or religious arrangements, there is a perceptible sense of harmony that guides the eye through the narrative.

This pursuit of perfection was evident in his various depictions of the Madonna, where he balanced maternal warmth with a structured, geometric grace. His ability to marry the scientific observation of light with an idealized sense of beauty ensured that his compositions felt both grounded in reality and elevated by spirit. He achieved a visual stability that became a standard for the High Renaissance, focusing on the quiet strength of a well-placed glance or the precise fold of a garment to convey profound human emotion.

Major Commissions and Workshop Management

The scale of Raphael’s Roman career required a level of organization that moved beyond the traditional studio model. To meet the immense demands of the papal court, he managed an unusually large workshop, a bustling center of production that functioned with the precision of a small enterprise. While his own hand guided the most significant compositions, much of the physical execution of his vision fell to his assistants. These skilled pupils often produced works directly from his preparatory drawings, ensuring a consistency of style across a vast array of projects. This system allowed him to maintain a high output even as his responsibilities expanded into the realm of architecture and urban design.

His influence within the Vatican was both broad and profound. He was entrusted with a series of important commissions to decorate the papal apartments, but his authority extended far beyond the canvas. Raphael was placed in charge of all papal projects involving architecture, paintings, decoration, and the preservation of antiquities. This multifaceted role made him a central figure in the physical and aesthetic shaping of the papal residence. His design work was not limited to walls and ceilings; he also provided designs for tapestries intended for the papal court, integrating his aesthetic into the very fabric of courtly life.

The Transfiguration (commissioned 1517)

Notable Masterpieces and Famous Works

The breadth of his output is perhaps best understood through his many Madonnas, works that defined the visual language of maternal grace. These paintings often displayed a human warmth and a sense of serene equilibrium that became a hallmark of his style. In Florence, his experimentation with this theme reached a significant point with La belle jardinière, completed in 1507. This work reflects the transition from his earlier Umbrian training toward the more sophisticated compositions that would later define his Roman period.

In Rome, his commissions reached a monumental scale within the Vatican. He was tasked with decorating the Stanza della Segnatura, where he created expansive fresco cycles that integrated classical philosophy with religious themes. Among these, the School of Athens remains his most famous work, a vast composition that brought together the great thinkers of antiquity into a single, harmonious space. This achievement demonstrated his ability to manage complex, large-scale narratives through precise perspective and order.

His final years were marked by an immense productivity that included his largest work on canvas, The Transfiguration, which was commissioned in 1517. This painting, which he was working on at the time of his death, represents the culmination of his technical skill and his ability to handle dramatic, large-scale subjects. His ability to balance such intense human emotion with classical structure remained a constant throughout his career.

Crucifixion (1502)
Marriage of the Virgin (1504)
Portrait of Julius II (1512)
Madonna della Sedia (1514)

Pupils, Rivals and Artistic Lineage

Raphael occupied a singular position in the High Renaissance, forming a triumvirate of creative giants alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. While his contemporaries often pursued divergent paths of scientific observation or muscular tension, Raphael cultivated a style of clarity and balance that became a standard for the academic tradition. This equilibrium was not merely a personal achievement but a pedagogical one, as his prolific output required a highly organized studio to sustain the demands of his papal commissions.

The management of this workshop was a central part of his professional life. His pupils were not merely assistants but were trained to uphold the specific aesthetic of his school. Among them, Giulio Romano emerged as a significant figure, often tasked with executing works from Raphael's original drawings. Romano’s own style would eventually carry the artist's influence into new directions, frequently echoing the compositions and forms established in the Vatican. This lineage ensured that the Raphael name remained synonymous with a particular brand of grace and order long after his death.

Despite his immense success, his career was shadowed by the presence of his great rival, Michelangelo. The tension between their differing approaches—one favoring harmonious proportion and the other dramatic anatomical power—defined much of the era's artistic discourse. While Raphael’s influence was profound, the weight of Michelangelo’s stylistic impact often exceeded his own in the eyes of subsequent generations, particularly through the 18th and 19th centuries. This competition between two distinct visions of human grandeur helped shape the trajectory of Western painting for centuries.

The End of a Prolific Career

The momentum of a career that had reached the very heights of papal favor was halted with startling suddenness. On April 6, 1520, the day of his thirty-seventh birthday, Raphael died unexpectedly in Rome. His passing was felt as a profound loss within the papal court, where his influence was so deeply integrated into the fabric of religious and civic life that the Pope had intended to elevate him to the rank of Cardinal. Instead, the man who had become the visual voice of the papacy was gone before such honors could be bestowed.

At the time of his death, he was still actively engaged in his most monumental undertaking, the large-scale canvas of The Transfiguration. This work remained unfinished at the moment of his passing, a final, lingering fragment of a life defined by immense productivity. His sudden departure left the Vatican and the artistic community of Rome in a state of mourning, marking a quiet end to a period of intense creative output.

His remains were interred in the Pantheon in Rome, Italy, a site of immense historical and architectural significance. This final resting place reflected the dignity of his station and the high esteem in which he was held by the authorities of the Papal States. He left behind a vast body of work that had been executed through a highly organized workshop, ensuring that his presence in the history of the High Renaissance remained firmly established.

Where to See His Works Today

The physical remnants of his prolific career are scattered across the major centers of European art. In Rome, much of his most significant output remains within the Vatican Palace, where his frescoes continue to define the visual language of the papal apartments. These works, including the celebrated School of Athens, occupy the very spaces he helped decorate during his most productive years in the Eternal City.

Beyond the Vatican, his presence is felt in the great galleries of the continent. The Louvre in Paris holds several of his paintings, while the National Gallery of Art in Washington preserves his works for modern audiences. In Florence, the Galleria degli Uffizi houses many of his portraits, offering a glimpse into the faces of the Renaissance nobility he so carefully rendered. The Uffizi Gallery also contains several other significant pieces, ensuring that his influence remains anchored in the Italian tradition.

The Transfiguration, Vatican Museums, Vatican City
Madonna della Seggiola, Palazzo Pitti, Florence
Portrait of Julius II, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence
Self Portrait, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence
The Marriage of the Virgin, Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan

Questions & Answers

What are the birthplace and birth year of Raphael?

Raphael was born in Urbino in 1483.

Is there an overview of all the subjects Raphael painted?

The Subject Atlas of Raphael is a page that maps the artist's artworks by their subjects.

Where are Raphael's artworks grouped by art movement?

Raphael's works can be browsed by movement on the artist's All Movements page.

By the WahooArt.com Editorial Team Updated Oct. 12, 2026

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your Raphael

Every artwork by Raphael in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Raphael