Raphael n.d.

This is a self-portrait of the famous Italian High Renaissance painter Raphael, best known for works like "The School of Athens" and "The Sistine Madonna." The Art Institute of Chicago holds this charcoal drawing, which captures Raphael’s youthful features with striking detail. Created sometime between 1483 and 1520, the drawing showcases Raphael’s mastery of light and shadow, giving a three-dimensional quality to his face and the folds of his cap. His expression is calm and contemplative, reflecting the quiet confidence of a rising artistic star.