The School of Athens

When we look at art, we are able to see where and when the painting took place but in The School of Athens, it is a different story. This fresco The School of Athens by Raphael was painted on the walls of the Papel Palace amongst the Vatican in Rome from 1510 to 1511. The work of art is truly sensational and intriguing. Just the title has a significant meaning, The School of Athens. There was Roman architecture painted but the school was thought to be in Athens, Greece. During the Renaissance, ideas were being 'reborn' and re-taught from past times like the knowledge from Greece because this where many Greek ideas were being acknowledged again. People started to think for themselves and question the Church. Another Greek contribution to the painting are the two statues of the Greek Gods Apollo and Athens. This painting is a humanist fantasy. Individuals from all different time periods were gathered together to talk about their theories and beliefs under one roof. The symmetrical columns and Roman arches are another example showing the different time periods that were coming back during the Renaissance. The classical and elegant Roman architecture was starting to be build for attractiveness and uniqueness in the city state. The people framed by the arches were geniuses during their time period. Spirtiual thinkers such as Play Doh, mathematicians, believers about religion and the universe like Aristotle, and scientists were placed in 'The School of Athens'. From just looking at this painting, we can truly see what the vibrant Renaissance was all about.