Who was Raphael? The artist, his world, and his painting

First appointment with the "Raphael’s School of Athens: The Medium and the Message" Rome Book Club.

One of the most famous and influential paintings of the Renaissance, contemporary with and rivaling Michelangelo’s Sistine Ceiling, Raphael’s fresco of ancient philosophers under a vaulted hall is both a brilliant articulation of philosophical systems and a sophisticated display of fresco technique. Understanding how medium and message were intertwined in Raphael’s world will open up a window onto the culture of the High Renaissance, where artistic craft and humanist thought went hand in hand.

Who was Raphael? The artist, his world, and his painting

This week, guided by Professor David Mayernik from the School of Architecture, we will meet Raphael: we’ll start in his birthplace, follow his travels and growth from a young orphan to an independent master. From Urbino, to Umbria, Florence, and finally Rome, we’ll see how his self-education prepared him for painting in the papal palace.

In preparation for the meeting, some resources are dedicated to introductory material, including ‘instructions for use’ on ThinkND.

Register to participate and submit any question in advance.