Taylor Tobin
The Renaissance era has several well-documented and known artists and paintings. Some of the most well known artists of the era are Raphael, Titian, Bellini, and Leonardo da Vinci. These artists have created some of the well-known pieces like the Mona Lisa and the Birth of Venus. In this essay, I will explore the historical significance of artist Raphael and his portrait of Agnolo Doni from the 1500 era.
In the 1500s, several events occurred that impacted society. During the Renaissance, Europe went into an economic depression and had a financial astronomical growth. But while the era had those things happening it was also a turning point in social, artistic, political and scientific thought. Some people when they think back to this era in renaissance they think that this era had lots of optimism, was radiant and people were always looking forward. Even though some people have a positive look on this era others have a negative look by thinking that this era strained and disrupted the English society.
Raphael is a well known Italian painter that created many famous renaissance pieces. His work was admired by many people for his visuals and composition. One of his well-known pieces is the school of Athens. Throughout his career, his work was cherished but also executed because of the quality. Since he was so well known many people found him very influential because of his printmaking. His work was also described into phases and styles. Which were his early years in Umbria, artistic traditions of Florence and his last few years working with two popes and their employees. He sadly died at the age of 37 his art can be found at the Vatican palace. After he passed away his rival was more widespread until the 18th and 19th centuries while his serene and harmonious qualities were regarded as high models.
The portrait of Agnolo Doni was created by Raphael in the 1500 era with oil paints on wood. Agnolo Doni married a woman named Maddalena Strozzi in 1503 but the painting was created in 1506. In the 1500 era, Raphael studied Leonardo da Vinci and if you look at the Mona Lisa you will find some similar attributes. When you compare the two paintings you will realize that the plane painting and the way their hands are placed are very similar to one another. But in the background a careful assessment of the human figure because the light will define the volume and surfaces. So when you put everything together you are able to see similar settings in Leonardo da
Vinci's work and Raphaels. Every element that is in the painting works together creating a balance between everything.