Raffaellino del Garbo Paintings

Raffaellino del Garbo, born Raffaello Capponi, was an Italian painter of the early Renaissance period. He was born approximately in 1466 in Florence, Italy. Raffaellino's nickname 'del Garbo' was derived from his father's profession; 'Garbo' means grace or elegance, and his father was a tailor known for the fine quality of his garments. Little is known about Raffaellino's early life, but it is believed he received his primary artistic training in the workshop of Filippino Lippi, where he would have been exposed to the influence of his master's father, Fra Filippo Lippi, and Sandro Botticelli.

Raffaellino del Garbo's style reflects the graceful lines and delicate beauty associated with the Florentine School. His work is noted for its vibrant color palette and the gentle, sweet expressions of his figures. His religious paintings, often characterized by their clarity and luminous quality, were well-suited to the tastes of his contemporaries who favored piety and refinement.

Among his notable works are the 'Annunciation' for the church of San Gallo in Florence, the 'Madonna and Child with Saints' for the church of Santo Spirito, and the 'Resurrection of Christ' which is now in the Berlin State Museums. Raffaellino's work was also appreciated outside of Florence, as evidenced by his commission to contribute to the decoration of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, where he painted a fresco of the 'Resurrection of Christ' in 1505, now sadly only partially preserved.

Despite his talents, Raffaellino del Garbo never achieved the fame of some of his contemporaries such as Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo. Nevertheless, his works were highly valued for their devotional quality and technical proficiency. Raffaellino continued to work in Florence until his death in 1524. While he may not be as well-known today as some of his contemporaries, his contributions to the art of the Renaissance period remain significant, and his works are still admired for their beauty and grace.