Raphael

Portrait of Pope Julius II by Raphael

For centuries Raphael (1483-1520) has been recognized as the supreme High Renaissance painter, more versatile than Michelangelo and more prolific than their older contemporary Leonardo. Though he died at 37, Raphael's example as a paragon of classicism dominated the academic tradition of European painting until the mid-19th century.
Raphael (Raffaello Santi) was born in Urbino where his father was court painter. He almost certainly began his training there. Noting his early talent his father placed him in workshops of several court painters. From 1500, when he became an independent master, to 1508, he worked throughout central Italy, particularly Florence, where he became a noted portraitist and painter of Madonnas.

In 1508, at the age of 25, he was called to the court of Pope Julius II to help with the redecoration of the papal apartments. In Rome he evolved as a portraitist, and became one of the greatest of all history painters.

He remained in Rome for the rest of his life and in 1514, he was appointed architect in charge of St Peter's. Although Raphael never married he had a long-lasting affair with the daughter of a baker; her name was Francesco Luti. His premature death on Good Friday was caused by a night of excessive sex with Luti, after which he fell into a fever and, not telling his doctors that this was its cause, was given the wrong cure, which killed him. During the weeks of his fever he was able to dictate a will in which he provided for his mistress.

Just paint it!