Renowned for her portraiture, Sarah Raphael was a multifaceted English artist whose mastery spanned painting, drawing, and printmaking, exploring both figurative and abstract art. Her formative years at Bedales School, followed by a rigorous art education at Camberwell School of Art from 1978 to 1981, culminated in a First-Class Honours Degree, a testament to her early dedication and skill.

Raphael's professional debut was marked by a solo exhibition at the Christopher Hull Gallery in 1985, followed by two shows at Agnew's in 1989 and 1992. Her career trajectory took a pivotal turn in the 1990s after a transformative journey to Australia. This expedition birthed the 'Desert Landscapes' series, which was presented in her solo exhibition at Agnew’s in 1995.

Raphael's portraits, celebrated for their emotional depth and complexity, transcended mere physical likeness to capture the very essence of her subjects. Her nuanced approach combined traditional methods with new experiments to bring out more abstract elements in her art.

Sarah Raphael's paintings are held in institutions such as the National Portrait Gallery in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art in New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.