When a student surpasses his master, it is time for the student to move onto greater challenges. The Italian Renaissance artist, Raphael Santi, surpassed his master, Perugino, in his early work Marriage of the Virgin, Raphael's first major work, in 1504. This work corresponded closely to the work of Perugino, but critics at the time of Raphael considered that "Raphael was here far better executing a repeat commission passed onto him by his teacher" (Reynal and Company 239).

Raphael Santi of Urbino was one of the most prominent artists of the Italian Renaissance and had begun his career working at a workshop with Giovanni Santi, his father. After his father's death in 1494, Raphael remained in Urbino. Years later in 1500, Raphael relocated to Perugia, where he was taken under the wing of another Renaissance artist, Perugino (Avenel 68). Perugino's influence was important to the young man of eighteen, and with his wonderful...