Self-Portrait

Raphael painted this self-portrait around 1506, at about age 23. He presents himself as a refined young man in dark clothing, his face turned in a three-quarter view, his expression gentle and somewhat melancholy. The plain dark background focuses attention entirely on the sitter.

Raphael shows himself as courtly and intellectual rather than as a working artist. His clothing, while simple, is of fine quality. The soft features and sensitive gaze became the standard image of Raphael, reproduced in countless engravings and establishing his reputation as the artist of grace and harmony.

The Uffizi acquired this painting for its collection of artist self-portraits. It shows Raphael at the start of his Florentine period, before his move to Rome.