Raphael's Vatican Masterclass.The Vatican stanze are the apartments of Julius II who gave Raphael complete freedom to fresco the rooms. The rooms had been decorated by several artists previously including, Piero Della Francesca and Luca Signorelli, but Raphael eliminated all previous work and replaced it with his own. The result is one of the greatest painting cycles in the world. Personal Opinion:- Try to see these pictures in the Vatican if you can. The figures are life-size and it is very difficult to appreciate the sheer scale from much smaller reproductions. Spend some time in the rooms and be in awe of the skill, time, and effort required to produce these works.
The Disputation of the Sacrament. (s) The painting shows two groups of religiously minded people on either side of an alter. They are discussing, rather than disputing, the meaning of Heaven. Above them, seated on a cloud, are saints and prophets with Christ in the centre flanked by the Madonna and St John. Note the perspective effect given by the floor as it leads the eye deeper into the picture and the golden light falling from Heaven. What a fabulous composition!
Parnassus. (s) This painting shows musicians with their muses. The figure in blue with his face gazing at the sky represents Homer, and Dante is seen in profile next to him.
The School of Athens. (detail) (w) The artist's most famous painting seems to contain various Greek philosophers, notably Plato and Aristotle located in the centre of the picture. Plato points towards the sky and Aristotle is shown with the palm of his hand turned down.
Madonna of Foligno. (s)
Transfiguration. (s)
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