It is a very long time since I gave any thought to the work of Raffaello Sanzio. It may well have been when I was in grammar school, studying art with a rather strange Scottish end-army boxing champion. Back then, of course, our man was better known as Raphael. For some reason I have never managed to fathom, an Italian painter had to undergo the hellenization of his name. Anyway: I’m going to stick to the Italian original.
Of course, we “did” the Renaissance systematically and thoroughly, but after getting my O-level there has never really been much incentive to pay any systematic attention to this stuff. I’m able to nod sagely when famous artists from the period are mentioned, or their work drifts across my attention in some gallery or another. Somehow or another, however, it never seems to matter much these days. Things have been shaken up pretty thoroughly today.
I take part in the regional Italian Circle,* which regularly features talks on subjects related to Italy in one way or another. Today’s talk, by Pam Green, one of the members, was on the life and work of Raffaello, and what a stimulating experience that was! I have never before appreciated what real humanity he was able to convey in his portraits. His obvious engagement with personality makes him, I’m sure, into a significant precursor of real modernity. I’m left wanting more. What a guy!
*Actually, I’m the President, for reasons I have never fully understood.