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Primary sourceBook16th century

Sonetti attributed to Raphael

Raphael · 16th century

A collection of sixteenth-century Italian sonnets attributed to Raphael, written in his own hand of verse rather than paint.

A rare surviving example of Raphael's own writing, in verse rather than paint.

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Source: Wikisource

About this source

What it is

This is a set of sonnets, short Italian poems, attributed to Raphael and listed among his works. They are written in 16th-century Italian, the language Raphael himself spoke and wrote.

Why it matters

Most people know Raphael only as a painter, but these sonnets show that he also tried his hand at poetry, writing about love and longing in the courtly style common to his time. They offer a rare glimpse of his personal voice beyond his paintings.

Look closer

  • What feelings does the poet describe, and how does he use images like fire, water, and light?
  • Does knowing that Raphael was a painter change how you read these poems?
  • Why might an artist also want to write poetry?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Raphael on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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