"Athenian School": a description of the fresco. Rafael Santi, "The Athenian School"

Santi Raffaello was born in early April 1483 in central Italy. Often his name sounded in the Latin manner as Sanzio or Santius. The artist himself, drawing a signature on his canvases, used a Romanized version of his name - Rafael. Under this name, he became famous all over the world. And his large-scale fresco "Athenian School" became known even to those who are very far from the world of fine arts.

The first steps in art

Even in his childhood, Rafaello knew that he would be an artist. His first experiments in drawing passed under the strict guidance of his father - Giovanni Santi. Along with the lessons of the parent, the future master mastered the technique of painting from Timoteo Viti - the famous Umbrian artist in those days. When Santi Jr. turned 16 years old, he was sent as a pupil to Pietro Vannucci. Under the influence of this man Raphael reached the real heights of skill and mastered the basic techniques of art.

The earliest, youthful paintings of Raphael are three canvases: "Archangel Michael, defeats Satan" (today the work is in Paris), "The Dream of the Knight" (exposition - London) and "Three Graces" (his last shelter is Chantilly). Thus began the creative path of Rafael Santi. "The Athenian School" appeared when the author turned 25 years old.

The greatest of the frescoes

Raphael came to the Eternal City in 1508. Here he was invited by Pope Julius II. Here the artist was to paint the stanzas (ceremonial halls) of the Vatican Palace. Stanza della Senyatura Raphael was painted, transferring four spheres of human mental activity in picturesque images: Dispute (theology), Athenian school (philosophy), Parnassus (poetry) and Wisdom, Measure, Power (jurisprudence). And the maestro painted the ceiling with paintings that ideologically resonate with the main compositions and bear a biblical, allegorical and mythological meaning.

The painting "The Athenian School" became the epitome of the greatness of philosophy and science. The main paradigm of the fresco is one of the most important thoughts of humanists. It can be roughly formulated as an opportunity for a harmonious agreement between different branches of science and philosophy. The arches of the majestic architectural masterpiece are decorated with groups of scientists and philosophers of Ancient Greece.

"The Athenian School" (Raphael). Description

In total, the picture shows more than fifty figures. In the center of the fresco are Aristotle and Plato. They convey the wisdom of the times of Antiquity and represent the two philosophical schools. Plato points to the heavens with his finger, and Aristotle stretches out his hand over the earth. A warrior dressed in a helmet is Alexander the Great. He listens attentively to the great Socrates, who is bending his fingers in his hands, telling something amazing. On the left side, near the stairs, the disciples surrounded Pythagoras, who is busy solving mathematical problems. "The Athenian School" found a place and Epicurus, whom Raphael painted in a wreath of leaves of grapes.

For the image of Michelangelo, the artist chose the image of Heraclitus and painted it as a man who, leaning on a cube, sits in a pensive posture. On the stairwells, Diogenes is seated. To his right is Euclid, who is measuring something on a geometric drawing using a compass. Stair steps are stages on which the mastery of the truth takes place. Company Euclidu composed Ptolemy (holding the globe in his hands) and Zoroaster (holding the globe of the sky). To the right of them is a figure of Raphael himself, looking at the audience.

Other characters

Despite the fact that the "Athenian School" is a fresco depicting more than 50 characters, it feels the lightness and spaciousness characteristic of Santi's manner. In addition to the above-described figures, the canvas presents to the public and characters such as Specksipp (a philosopher depicted with a beard and in a toga of brown color), Menexen (a philosopher clothed in a blue hue), Xenocrates (a philosopher in white toga). Also there is Pythagoras, painted with a book in his hands, Critias (in pink attire), Diagor Melossky - a poet with a naked torso, other historical figures.

Like all the world's masterpieces of art, the "Athenian School" presents to the public a couple of unknown figures. So, no one knows who is depicted on a fresco on one leg, and who owns a back in pink clothes. But the favorite artist is easy to identify: she personifies Hypatia.

Interesting facts about the "Athenian school"

Stantsy in the Vatican signed the genius Raphael ten years - from 1508 to 1518 year. Santi himself worked only four years (1508-1512). All the rest of the time the painting was performed by the students of the maestro under his direction. There is one random, but very interesting coincidence: four years worked Raphael over the Stantsi, and for as many years worked on the Sistine ceiling of Michelangelo.

The name of the famous fresco does not belong to Raphael. Historical sources say that at the very beginning the painting was called "Philosophy". "Athens School" - a name that does not fully correspond to what is depicted on the canvas. In the picture, besides the philosophers from Athens, there are many people who have never been in this city in their life. In addition, the fresco gathers representatives of different eras who lived in different countries, and therefore did not have the opportunity to meet together at the same time.

Death of a great artist

After only 37 years, on April 6, 1520 (the day of his birth), the great Raphael Santi died. "Athenian School" is still alive for centuries. The earthly existence of the maestro was bright and concise, like a comet. But this time allotted by destiny was enough for Rafael to be remembered as the greatest artist of the Renaissance.

The death of Santi was sudden, she broke the rivalry between the two greatest geniuses of her time. Both took part in decorating and creating the Vatican. It's about Raphael and Michelangelo. Despite the fact that the latter was older than Santi, he survived it for many years.

Raphael died in Rome, and his ashes were buried with honors that were worthy of such an unrivaled genius and symbol of the era. There was not a single artist who would not spend the last journey of the author of the "Athenian school" and did not mourn the maestro.