Raphael

Raphael

In "The School of Athens" by Raphael, each philosopher reveals the intentions of his soul. Their emotions are similar to the disciples in "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci. Raphael combines qualities from Michelangelo and Leonardo to create pictures which are lyric and dramatic, pictorially rich and sculpturally solid. There is an interdependence between the architecture and the figures. The classical archways house the figures under one roof creating a type of radial balance which focuses and unites the intellects of that time. The arch over Aristotle and Plato creates a halo over their heads which seems to elevate them to Sainthood. [MH] {NR}