By the time Raphael was eleven years old, he was already painting better than most adults. Born in 1483 in the Italian city of Urbino, Raphael learned to paint from his father. He was also an artist. But the young painter quickly surpassed his teacher. By his teenage years, Raphael had moved to Florence. There, he studied the work of two other famous artists: Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Instead of copying their styles, Raphael combined what he admired from each of them and developed something original. His paintings are known for their balance and soft colors. His figures seem to interact with each other in a calm, natural way. One of his most famous works is called "The School of Athens." It shows a grand hall filled with ancient Greek philosophers having conversations. Each figure has a different pose and expression. The painting uses perspective lines that draw your eye toward the center. Raphael became the favorite painter of two popes, who hired him to decorate rooms in the Vatican in Rome. He led a large workshop of assistants and completed an extraordinary number of paintings, frescoes, and architectural designs. Raphael passed away on April 6, 1520, on his 37th birthday. Despite his short life, he created works that people still travel across the world to see. His paintings look natural, balanced, and emotionally warm. Artists have studied his work for over five hundred years.