This is a portrait of Pope Julius II, painted by Raphaelo Sanzio of Urbino, more commonly known as Raphael. This is a brief history taken from the Guardian: Pope Julius II was elected pope in 1503 after one of the shortest conclaves ever (he bribed everyone). He was both a lover of war and a lover of art, commissioning some of the greatest works in western history: Raphael's decorated rooms in the Vatican and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. What I find so interesting about this portrait is that Pope Julius II is not looking at the painter. His face is full of sorrow, and his body position suggests that he has taken on a defeatist attitude. In this painting, Pope Julius II does not embody any of the stereotypical leadership qualities associated with a pope. Raphael is able to capture the true persona of Pope Julius II in a way that is utterly different from other pope portraiture.
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