Raphael's "Philosophy :School of Athens" is a mural painting (or fresco) about the philosphers and scientists of the past that have been rediscovered by the Renaissance (Kleiner, Mamiya, & Tansey, 2001).Large statues of Apollo and Athena who are the Greek patron gods of the arts and of wisdom are in the background of this mural painting (Kleiner, Mamiya, & Tansey, 2001).Raphael made "Philosophy: School of Athens" in 1510-1511 A.D. in Rome while he served as an artist for Pope Julius II (Krausse, 1995). This mural painting which is about 19' x 27' was for decorating the Stanza, i.e., a papal office or small library at the Vatican Palace, in Rome, Italy (Kleiner, Mamiya, & Tansey, 2001).
At the center of the mural painting, sitting on the first step and leaning on a stone, square, table, is a man with the features of Michelangelo which introduces the viewer into the painting (Krausse, 1995). The mural has central perspective, as seen by the arches and halls, and the vanishing point where all lines lead is between the heads of the central figures under an arch, the white-bearded Plato with the features of Leonardo Da Vinci, and Aristotle whose hand points forward (Krausse, 1995). Plato is holding his book "Timaeus" and points his hand to heaven, and Aristotle is holding his book "Nichomachean Ethics" (Kleiner, Mamiya, & Tansey, 2001). On the right, near the globe, are Euclid and Ptolemy, surrounded by mathematicians and scientists (Krausse, 1995). In the front on the left, are Anacreon and Pythagoras, surrounded by philosophers and poets (Krausse, 1995). The Greek scholars who are talking together in this mural, represent the gathering together of seven Liberal Arts in one place to discuss ideas (Krausse, 1995). The mural unites wisdom and beauty in a harmonious, educated setting (Krausse, 1995). Raphael placed himself in the mural, among the mathematicians and scientists (Kleiner, Mamiya, & Tansey, 2001).
The Classical Period in Greece (500 B.C. -338 B.C.) gave rise to drama, historical writing, and Greek philosophy ( McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). Philosophers of the Classical Period in Greece included Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003).
| Socrates Socrates (470 B.C. - 399 B.C. ) was a Greek Philosopher who believed that "excellence could be learned" and disseminated to others (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). Socrates felt that by pursuing and obtaining knowledge, people could find "the supreme good" and subsequently find "true happiness" (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). Socrates' student was Plato (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). A sad note, however, is that in 399 B.C. Socrates was put on trial and executed for "corrupting the youth" of Athens and introducing new gods (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). |
Plato Plato (427 B.C. - 347 B.C.) was a Greek Philosopher, a writer, and a political scientist, who had ideas about creating the ideal "polis" or city (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). Plato wrote down his philosophical ideas and founded a philosophy school called "The Academy" (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). Plato thought that education brings virtues that "lead to an intelligent, moral, and ethical life" (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). Plato equated god with the concept of good, and he used mathematics and logic. He felt that "human life is transitory, but ideas are permanent" (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). Plato's philosophy was that "all visible, tangible things - are unreal and temporary, copies of forms or ideas that are constant and indestructible. Only the mind, not the senses, can perceive eternal forms. In Plato's view the highest form is the idea of good " (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). Plato's student was Aristotle. (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). |
| Pythagoras Pythagoras (582 B.C. - 500 B.C.) was a Greek philosopher, religious reformer, and mathematician who invented the famous Pythagorean Theorem in geometry that states that "the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides" (Webster, 1996).
Anacreon Anacreon (570 B.C. - 480 B.C.) was a Greek writer of love poems and drinking songs (Webster, 1996) |
Aristotle Aristotle (384 B.C. - 322 B.C.) was a Greek philosopher and scientist who followed the ideas of Plato, but carried them further to stress that an ideal society included talented and educated people who avoid extremes and do everything in moderation (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). He studied logic, ethics, natural sciences, politics, poetry, and art. His logical methods of reasoning included using "syllogisms" where one starts from a general statement and arrives at a conclusion (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). Aristotle established his own school where he held lectures at a gym and afterwards walked through the arches and past columns of the building discussing topics with students (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). Aristotle wrote "Physics and Metaphysics". However, in his work, "On the Heaven", Aristotle (incorrectly) reasoned that the earth was the center of the universe, with the planets revolving around it (McKay, Hill, & Butler, 2003). The Greek scientist Aristarchus later figured out that the sun was the center of the universe, but it was not until Copernicus, an astronomer of the 16th century, presented his findings that the sun was the center of the universe, that this correct scientific idea was accepted (McKay, Hill, & Buckler, 2003). |
| Ptolemy Ptolemy (127 B.C. - 151 B.C.) was a Greek mathematician, geographer, and astronomer who believed in the Ptolemaic system of astronomy wherein the earth was (incorrectly) said to be the fixed center of the universe, while heavenly bodies were said to move around it (Webster, 1996). |
Euclid Euclid (300 B.C.) was a mathematician who lived in Alexandria and wrote "The Elements of Geometry" which is a book that has taught generations of students from the Hellenistic period in Greece to the present (McKay, Hill, & Buckler, 2003). |
References:
Kleiner, F., Mamiya, C., & Tansey, R. (2001). Gardner's Art Through The Ages. Vol.II. N.Y.: Harcourt College Publishers.
Krausse, A. (1995). The Story of painting: from theRenaissance to the present. Hong Kong: Konemann.
Honour, H., & Fleming, J. (2002). A World History of Art. London: Laurence King Publishing, Ltd.
McKay, J, Buckler, H, & Hill, B. (2003). A History of Western Society, Vol. I. N.Y.: Houghton Mifflin.
Webster (1996.) Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language. N.Y.: Random House.
Wirtz, Rolf C. (2000). Art and Architecture: Florence. Oldenburg: Konemann.|
©2005 - 2006 My Art History Site. All Rights Reserved.
