• An authoritative account of the Italian painter, architect and draughtsman, Raphael, one of the most influential artists of the High Renaissance • A lively study examines his life, the areas of Italy that shaped his work and the historical context of the times • Explores his innovative style and his compassionate depictions of Madonna and child groups, his portraits and his works based on Bible stories and myths • Features a wonderful gallery of his paintings and drawings with expert analysis, and descriptions of his style and technique • Beautiful illustrations of Raphael’s great works, those of the painters who influenced him, as well as artists who were inspired by him in turn Artist, architect and draughtsman, one of the great masters and one of the most influential painters of the High Renaissance, Raphael produced a huge body of work during his short working life. His artistic development took place in Umbria, Rome and Florence, where he met Michelangelo and Leonardo, and was influenced by their dynamic and evocative images. Some of his subsequent work reflected his admiration for them. In Rome, he painted The School of Athens, a major fresco depicting the greatest thinkers and philosophers of the past and present. His beautiful style is reflected in the second part of the book in a gallery of around 300 of Raphael’s major paintings and drawings, with an analysis of each in the context of his life, his technique and oeuvre. Raphael was one of the greatest artists of all time; his death in 1520 marked the end of the 16th century. About the Author Susie Hodge has an MA in the History of Art by Research from the University of London. As an author and illustrator, Susie has written over 30 books. She is the author of Monet, Cézanne, Renoir and Velázquez in this series (all published by Lorenz Books).