Raphael's School of Athens

Rahim Spencer
ARLT 100g
9/1/10
Raphael’s School of Athens
The School of Athens expresses the humanistic ideals of the Renaissance period. Humanism was a cultural and intellectual movement in literature, art, and civilization during the Renaissance that emphasized the rediscovery of the values of ancient Greece and Rome. Raphael displays many of the most influential writers and philosophers of his time. He places these figures in his composition in such a way that reflects many of the views and politics involved in the Renaissance. The lens through which Raphael sees these famous personages provides his interpretation of these most complex individuals that glorified the world as it was understood in the sixteenth century. Art in this way played an important role in Renaissance society because it educated the public by conveying ideas about religion, and philosophy, which is especially evident in the painting.
What is interesting and evident in this piece is the fact that these philosophers and scientists were probably the most devote in their society because they developed theories of understanding the universe. The most noticeable scene in this piece demonstrates the biggest connection between knowledge and religion. In the center of the scene Plato points up, while Aristotle points toward the Earth as the two walk together. This becomes the focal point. Plato points toward the heavens, exemplifying his belief in the divine and astronomy. At the same time Aristotle, a proponent of what would become the scientific method, directs his gestures toward the Earth, illustrating his belief in science and life on this planet. By making these two figures interact within the same scene Raphael’s painting unifies two conflicting ideals. This conflict between the scientific and religious ideals toward wisdom and divinity was an important underlying theme throughout the Renaissance period.
The figures that interact throughout the piece appear to be the mature...