Leonardo da Vinci's Influence on Raphael

Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous figures of the Italian Renaissance. He, Michelangelo, and Raphael are considered to be the three giants of High Renaissance art, even though there is a great difference in their ages. He is most famous for his paintings Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, but he also was an expert in anatomy, engineering, military tactics, and other various subjects.

His influence on Raphael is notable. He was already 31 when Raphael was born, and died the year before him at the age of 67. It was in 1504, when Raphael came to Florence, when Leonardo’s influence started on him. He studied Leonardo’s works on anatomy, and Raphael’s new knowledge soon showed up in his portraits and Madonnas, as did a modified perspective similar to that of da Vinci. A specific work is Leonardo’s Virgin and Child with St. Anne, which had a great influence on many artists including Raphael, especially on the style of his Madonnas. Raphael also adopted the pyramidal style Leonardo often used when depicting the holy family for some of his Madonnas.

Learn more about the work of Leonardo da Vinci