Late Raphael

From 1513 until his death in 1520, Raphael experienced an intense period of activity, producing a rich variety of work, from the frescoes for the Vatican Stanze to the series of tapestries on the Acts of the Apostles. Published to accompany an exhibition of 90 works at the Museo del Prado, the book’s contributors examine the great variety of the work of Raphael and his two most important pupils, Giulio Romano and Gianfrancesco Penni. For example, editors and exhibition curators Henry and Joannides point out that Raphael’s choices regarding the creation of tapestries had “the simplicity of genius. He decided to treat the tapestries as though they were wall paintings, an innovation with incalculable consequences for the subsequent history of tapestry.” During these years, Raphael also developed as a portraitist, painting cardinals and other church officials, and portraits of friends as gifts to them. In his Self-Portrait with Giulio Romano, for example, he “combined compositional inventiveness [and] innovative execution: he and his pupil take on the roles of father and son.” The dense and lavishly illustrated book includes analyses of Raphael’s major religious compositions; large Madonnas and holy families; small Madonnas and holy families; portraits; and the work that his students produced after the artist’s death. 288 illustrations, 238 in color. (Apr.)