Arcadópolis
The School of Athens
Raphael, 1509–1511
What you see
A monumental hall of vaults and arches opens toward the sky, and dozens of men spread across its steps in groups that talk, read or write. At the center, beneath the far arch, two old men walk forward: one points upward, the other stretches his hand out in front of him. The lines of the building all lead to them, and the eye follows effortlessly.
The tones are light and calm: pinks, blues and ochres against cream-colored stone. On each side, a large statue stands in a niche. Don’t miss the man sprawled across the steps, the one writing as he leans on a block in the foreground, and the group on the right bending over a slate with a compass.
About Raphael
Raphael Sanzio was born in Urbino and learned painting very young from his father, who was also a painter. His gentle Madonnas and harmonious compositions made him famous in Florence and Rome, where he decorated the pope’s rooms. He lived only 37 years but left an enormous body of work.
More by Raphael
The Arcadópolis Museum has 443 public-domain works in 40 rooms, free to explore in 3D in your browser.