The Early Work of Raphael (Classic Reprint)

Discover how Raphael’s earliest years shaped a master, from Urbino to Florence and beyond.

The Early Work of Raphael traces the painter’s childhood, training, and rise to prominence. It shows how the young artist absorbed lessons from masters on both sides of Italy and how Morelli’s research reshaped our understanding of his beginnings. The book follows Raphael from his birth in Urbino through his formation under Perugino and Fra Bartolommeo, and into the crucial Florence period where he studied Leonardo, Michelangelo, and the city’s vibrant art scene. It reveals how early drawings and unfinished works foreshadow a career that would unfold on the grand stage of Rome.

With careful detail and clear context, this edition presents the factors that shaped his style, the people who influenced him, and the settings that fed his growth. It blends biographical milestones with analysis of early Madonnas, portraits, and collaborative projects, offering readers a grounded view of how a young artist became a master.

• See how Urbino’s court and Duke Federigo influenced Raphael’s formation.


• Explore his Florence apprenticeship among a brilliant circle of artists.


• Learn how Leonardo and Michelangelo affected his approach to drawing and anatomy.


• Understand the development of his early Madonnas and other early works.

Ideal for readers of art history and fans of Raphael seeking a thoughtful look at the roots of his genius.