-Open, clear light uniformly spread throughout the composition. -Nobility and monumentality of forms parallel the greatness of the figures represented; figures gesture to indicate their philosophical thought -Raphel’s overall composition was influenced by Leonardo’s Last Supper
--Opposite this work is a Raphael painting called La Disputa, based on religion; religious books were placed below; parallels drawn between the two themes expressed in the paintings -To the left of Philosophy is Apollo and the Muses on Parnassus, referencing literature. -The building depicted in the background might reflect Bramante’s plan for Saint Peter’s; Bramante appears as the bald Euclid in the lower right -In the center are the 2 greatest figures in ancient Greek thought: Plato on the left pointing up, and Aristotle pointing out. Their gestures reflect their philosophies. -On the left are those interested in the ideal(Followers of Plato); on the right, those interested in the practical(followers of Aristotle) -Raphael is on the extreme right with a black hat. -Michelangelo, resting on the stone block writing a poem, represents the philosopher Heraclitus; the figure was added later and was not part of the original composition.
-Commissioned by Pope Julies II to decorate his library. -This is one painting in a complex program of works that illustrates the vastness and variety of the papal library -Painting was originally called Philosophy because the pope’s philosophy books were meant to be housed on shelving below
Context
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