Raphael, one of the three major artists of the High Renaissance, was born in Urbino in 1483. He is considered one of the greatest and most famous artists of all time by many. Giovanni Santi, his father, and minor artist gave Raphael his first instructions on painting techniques. He is also said to have studied with Timoteo Viti at Urbino. He was in the seat of Federico di Giorgio for some time. In 1499, Raphael went to Perugia in Umbria. The highly regarded Perugino became his mentor, and Raphael painted for him. Raphael spent four years with Perugino; he learned all that Pergugino could teach him. Over the years Raphael immitated his master's work, at times historians have found it difficult to determine which work was done by Raphael. At around this time, Raphael completed his independent works made in Perugia, Sposalizio, or Marriage of the Virgin 1504 and Crucified Christ with the Virgin Mary, Saints and Angels 1503.
             Raphael moved to Florence in 1504 with a letter of reccomendation from the Duchess of Montefeltro to the gonfalonier Soderini. At the time Raphael moved to Florence art was headed in a new contreversial direction possibly causing a powerful impression on 21-year-old Raphael. He studied the works of Michaelangelo, Leonardo Di Vinci, and Fra Bartolommeo. He learned their methods in which he would play with light, shadow, the anatomy, and dramatic representation. In 1508 Julias II called for Raphael, after asking for Michaelangelo as well. A suite of papal rooms was to be decorated based on theologically-determined concetto. A more generous style was ordered by the Vatican something appropriate to the might of the Roman papacy. It was a tough job, and Raphael found himself searching for assistants and pupils so much that in some of the later rooms it is difficult to determine the artist's hand.
             In the first room, the Stanza Della Segnatura (1509-1511), decorated with scenes that elaborate on ideas suggested by The...