FILE: 14_The School of Athens_Raphael.jpg

TITLE: PAINTING - School of Athens - HIGH ITALIAN RENAISSANCE

DESCRIPTION: by RAPHAEL Sanzio. Fresco. VATICAN. ROME. At 26 Raphael called to Rome by Pope for contest to paint papal apt. Raphael & teacher Perugino were contestants. Raphael won(a la Michelozzo beating Brunelesschi - see #13 Early Ital Renaissance). Symbolizes "Philosophy". Great philosphers: L.Center=Plato representing mysteries transcending world; R.Center=Aristotle representing world and how to live good life in it. L Front=sullen Michelangelo. L=Pythagoris; R=Euclid. Great ex. of 1 pt. perspective. Lively identifiable characters contribute to knowledge of the West. Union of mathematics & pictorial science. Compared to Leonardo's Last Supper: this is grander scale; more figures; more ambitious work; for the Pope not just on a monastery wall.