Early paintings (up to 1504)

Raphael was born on 6 April 1483 to Giovanni Santi and Màgia Ciarla. His father, a painter, was well known in artistic circles in Urbino. His works contain motifs from various sources, among them Perugino and Melozzo da Forli. Two artists were working in his father's workshop during Raphael's childhood: Evangelista da Pian di Meleto and Timoteo Viti da Urbino. The latter undoubtedly more deeply influenced the very young Raphael. Around the beginning of the 16th century Raphael met Pietro Perugino, who influenced his painting perhaps more than any other painter.