 Raphael enjoyed the patronage of the richest man in Italy, Agostino Chigi, who commissioned this fresco for his family villa. It was the first purely mythological scene that the artist had painted, representing the ideals of love and beauty through the Greek tale of Galatea and Pygmalion. Raphael was no stranger to female beauty, having incorporated female models into his studio practice. Yet his correspondence with Chigi reveals just how dedicated he was to seeing as many naked women as possible - for 'accuracy'. Raphael not only made the case that he should appraise as many pretty models as possible before painting Galatea, but he also invited Chigi to help him. |