How did Raphael synthesize influences?
My method involves a careful observation of existing forms and ideas, whether drawn from the ancient world or the work of masters like Leonardo and Michelangelo. I do not merely copy; rather, I seek to understand the underlying principles of their achievements – the balance, the grace, the clarity of expression. Then, through meticulous study and application, I aim to refine and combine these elements into something new, something that possesses a heightened sense of order and a more perfect equilibrium. It is a process of distillation, seeking the ideal through careful synthesis and a striving for ultimate grace.