Born in Urbino and trained under Pietro Perugino in Perugia, the ‘Italian Renaissance’ painter and Italian High Renaissance architect Raffaello Sanzi or Santi, better known as Raphael, is recognized on a par with Leonardo and Michelangelo in terms of artistic talent. . Of the many notable pieces produced, Raphael’s most famous ‘High Renaissance’ painting is “The School of Athens or Scuola di Atene (Italian)” (1510-11), a huge multi-figure composition adorned on the walls of the Vatican in Rome.
In 1508, Pope Julius II commissioned frescoes in four rooms, the Stanze di Raffaello, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace. The architect Donato Bramante suggested Raphael’s name to the Pope for this project. Each room signified a theme which was represented by a painting, such as Theology of Dispute, Poetry of Parnassus, Law of Jurisprudence and Philosophy of at The School of Athens, which is also the most famous among the other frescoes. Raphael’s work reflected clearly delineated figures fostered by excellent use of light and shadow to give depth and a realistic edge.
“The School of Athens” captures the renowned philosophers of the Greek world, with Plato and Aristotle at the center. They are seen holding in their left hand copies of Timaeus and Nicomachean Ethics respectively, with a group of other philosophers and scientists on either side of Plato and Aristotle. The philosophers on Plato’s side seem to conjecture the darkness of the globe, while those on Aristotle’s end seem concerned with nature and humanity. Some other well-known philosophers and scientists that Sanzi captured are Pythagoras, Heraklettes, and Euclid, the Greek mathematician who is shown holding a compass. Raphael has positioned himself at one end of the composition as a commoner he watches from a group of scholars. The overall impact of the “School of Athens” frescoes is one of grandiose charm, serenity and symmetry, illustrating the historical continuity of Platonic thought.
Raphael began work on “The School of Athens” in 1509 and completed it in November 1511. The Pope also instantly liked Raphael and so did the others. Being a total charmer, especially to women, Raphael earned himself the title of ‘Prince of Painters’. Giorgio Vasari once said about Raphael: “Raphael was so kind and charitable that even animals loved him, not to mention men.”
Appreciating “The School of Athens”, Celio Calcagnini once said: “It took many ancient heroes and a long age to build Rome, and many enemies and centuries to destroy it. Now Raphael has sought and discovered Rome in Rome; it takes a great man to seek, but the discovery comes from God himself”.
Annette Labedzki received her BFA from Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has over 25 years of experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from around the world. It is a great site for art collectors to purchase original art. It is also a place for artists to display and sell their art. Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited.
