Raphael
...ichelangelo and Leonardo, convinced Raphael to go there to learn in 1504 (Ciqola). In 1508 Pope Julius II asked Raphael to work for him in Rome (Edgerton, Jr. 144). In his early work like the “Marriage of the Virgin”, in 1504, the influence of Pergino’s sentimental style was clear but Raphael’s own style can be seen in the dignified figures and the perspective. “The School of Athens” shows a gathering of leading Greek philosophers and Scientists. Raphael presented in this painting intellectual and symbolic complexity. He managed to use the space to show the setting and arrangement of the figures with their relation to each other and to the architecture. So one can see and feel the three dimensions effect. Raphael used the actual arch in the wall to frame the painting. Three painted arches used as background to show the perspective. Also on Plato’s side a niche with a statue of Apollo, a supporter of poetry. On Aristotle’s side the Athena goddess of reason. It is kind of balancing the picture; it also shows his talent as a sculptor. Raphael’s greatest achievement was the series of frescoes that decorate the Pope’s private area in the Vatican in a room called the “Stanza della Segnatura”. Raphael work shows the sense of clarity, space and proportion to show the perspective (Edgerton, Jr. 145). While we may term other works paintings, those of Raphael are: “Living things; the flesh palpitates, the breath comes and goes, every organ lives, life pulsates everywhere.” -- Vasari, Lives of the Artists. The influence of Leonardo can be seen in a work by Raphael like the “Small Cowper Madonna”, the softness of contour and perfection of balance of both faces. Raphael returned to the subject of the Madonna and Child several times. “The Alba Madonna”, on the other hand, has a Michelangelo effect of heavy; masses wonderfully composed in the face of Mary (Pioch). He was also an architect. He directed the construction of St. Peter’s Church in Rome from 1514 until his death in 1520. He rejected the Gothic style and used columns, arches and domes like the Greeks and Romans. A great example of Raphael as an architect too is a representative of Renaissance. In “The School of Athens” Raphael presented the idea or philosophy to place himself with all the famous people. A typical idea of the Renaissance time is to respect and encourage the individuals. Through learning and working hard any one can get good achievements. He presented the philosophical circle and views of Aristotle and Plato. The two philosophers, “who agree in substance while they disagree in words,” were placed on either side of the central axis of the fresco with the vanishing point between them. Also Plato got the “Timaeus” in his hand while Aristotle got his “Ethics”. These small details with great ideas reflect the art of Raphael and his ability to translate the ideas of the Renaissance in...