THE SCHOOL OF ATHENS: Focus on Raphael

Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520), known as Raphael (on the left, looking outwards), painted this incredible work when he was twenty-seven.  The School of Athens was painted for Pope Julius II (1503-1513).  In 1508 the young native of Urbino, Italy, had been recommended to Julius II by Donato Bramante, the Pope's architect and also a native of Urbino. So enthusiastic was the Pope when he saw the fresco that Raphael received a commission to paint the entire papal suite.  The original painting of the School of Athens was restored in 1996.