Analysis Of The School Of Athens

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Danny Cottingham
Mrs. Peagler
English 10
May 7th, 2014
Raphael’s The School of Athens
The School of Athens is Raphael’s masterpiece because it embodies the Renaissance theme of philosophy, questioning, and individualism. The work also shows a return to Greco-Roman culture and Romanesque architecture. Raphael was one of the three High-Renaissance artist as well as Michelangelo and Leonardo Da’ Vinci. His short lived life left a large body of elegant work.
The School of Athens is one of the most famous frescoes of the Renaissance. The work was created between 1509 and 1510. Raphael was commissioned by Pope Julius II and decorated the Vatican. It depicts ideas of secularism, humanism, and individualism through the careful construction of the background, focus on detail, and choice of content. It gathers great philosophers of the classic era.
The philosophers depicted within the painting represent the Ideas of the Renaissance. The lack of religious symbols and figures represents the focus on the human form. Deciphering exactly who is who is very difficult as Raphael never left any scripts of documents on the content of the painting. Raphael studied many Greek and Roman generals and intellectuals and had known much of the era before painting The School of Athens.
Raphael’s works are renowned today by many for his exquisite and unique style that he adopted from his life. He studied many of the great artists of his day to create his own ingenious method and styles of art.
Danny Cottingham
Mrs. Peagler
English 10
May 7th, 2014.
The Life of Raphael
Raphael was born April 26th, 1483 in Urbino Italy. Urbino was a cultural city and a supporter of the arts. His father was Giovanni Santi; an artist for the duke of Urbino. Giovanni taught Raph...

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... realism and uniqueness share the ideas of humanism and individualism that still follow us today. His techniques were studied by vast numbers of artist during and after his time. His body of work is renowned today by all artists.
His paintings moved a people from the nightmare of the feudal system to organized governments which our governments today find their basis. His works can still be viewed today. People still ponder the meanings of his paintings. Being named a master of his field he still wanted to improve his abilities. He can serve to us as inspiration to never stop trying and to always improve.
In conclusion Raphael’s the School of Athens personifies every aspect of the intellectual movement known as the revolution. Raphael as we all do stood on the shoulders of giants. We should continue his ideas of constant questioning and seek perfection in all we do.

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