Diogenes of Sinope

The School of Athens – The Cardboard – Detail, 1509
Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520) – usually known only by his first name, Raphael.
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I’ll show you one last detail from this amazing masterpiece by Raphael. The cardboard that served as a preliminary drawing for the execution of the frescoes in the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican and was drawn by Raphael himself.
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The entire box measures 285 x 804 cm and is located at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan, Italy, where I am currently admiring it.
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At the center of these details we see Diogenes of Sinope – an ancient Greek philosopher.
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There is hardly any reliable data about Diogenes himself, but rather anecdotes.
While the depiction of many characters in the cartoon is controversial, the depiction of Diogenes is considered certain.
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Title: The School of Athens / Artist: Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520) / Date: 1509 / Technique: Charcoal, preliminary drawing, white lead / Dimensions: 285 × 804 cm / Location: Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Milan, Italy
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Photo: Peter J. Spoerer © – All rights reserved