Raphael
Italian Renaissance Artist
Early Life
Becoming an Artist
Lifestyle
Art and Patrons
Through the influence of a distant relative, Raphael was summoned to Rome by Pope Julius II in 1508. Then, he was comissioned to decorate several suites of rooms in the Vatican. Pope Julius was the one to support the famous "School of Athens." Also, Pope Leo X also paid Raphael to paint many pieces for his own enjoyment.
Renaissance "Isms"
Raphael's works portrayed many ideals of the Renaissance. His La fornarina portrait (circa 1518) was an example of Secularism, very revealing and representing the natural beauty of human beings. Raphael's School of Athens showed Classicism, painting Greek and Roman Philosophers.
The School of Athens
This painting strongly represents Classicism and Individualism, through its portrayal of knowledge and power. The most obvious is its portrayal of classicism is through the painting’s arches and classic philosophers. Plato and Aristotle are the focuses of the painting because of their central position.
I find this piece interesting because there is great attention to detail and it is symbolic in many ways. You can find this picture and read more about it at http://keepingthefaitharthistory.blogspot.com/2011/05/raphaels-school-of-athens.html.
Works Cited
http://keepingthefaitharthistory.blogspot.com/2011/05/raphaels-school-of-athens.html