Analysis of Raphael´s Painting The School of Athens

The Athens Academy (Figure 1) is a mural - a picture painted with fresh plaster in one of the four walls of the room, and the room Stanza della Segnatura was designated as the Papal Library of the Vatican Palace. In this picture, Raphael graphically expresses the intellectual activities of philosophy. He chose to represent philosophy by depicting a number of philosophers in their activities. There are 58 characters who are occupying a magnificent architectural space and they are drawn in their activities. They question, argue, show, read, and write.

Located in the illusion of huge architectural painting by Rafael, the Academy of Athens is a masterpiece visually expressing the concept of intelligence. In painting, Rafael used digital grouping to teach complex lessons about philosophical history and various beliefs developed by great Greek philosophers. Rafael certainly knows the private screening of the ongoing Sistine Chapel that was arranged by Bramante. Although Raphael's works can be seen in many ways as being more complicated by the number of characters in the scene, he certainly is influenced by works of great artists. As you will soon see, long digital thinking in the foreground is particularly noticeable.

Many art historians believe that Athens Academy is masterpiece of Raphael. It is regarded as one of the best examples of Renaissance art. In 1508, Pope Julian II asked the young Raphael to draw a series of murals in the Vatican Pope Stanza della Senya. While Rafael was working on murals, Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Athens Academy introduced a series of major ancient Greek philosophers. Plato and Aristotle appeared in the center and I saw a blue sky in the background. Ironic Diogenes is an old man lying on the stairs. Art historian believes that Michelangelo is portrayed as a forefront philosopher Heracritus. How is the value of Renaissance reflected in paintings?