The School of Athens – The Cardboard – Detail, 1509

The School of Athens – The Cardboard – Detail, 1509
Raffaello Sanzio (1483–1520) – usually known only by his first name, Raffael.
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It was a long-cherished wish of mine to finally see this masterpiece in reality, which I had previously only seen in various books and publications.
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Now this dream has come true! – I saw Raphael’s work face to face and was overwhelmed.

The level of detail in the sketches impressed me even more than his paintings. The sketches probably speak on a completely different emotional level than the paintings.
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There is something very intimate about looking at these preliminary drawings. The artist literally becomes physically present.
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This cardboard was made by Raphael as a preparatory work for the frescoes in the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican, which were commissioned by Julius II.
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But it should also be Julius II. give an impression of the finished fresco. It is the largest surviving cart box from the Renaissance.
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Unfortunately, Raphael died much too early and unexpectedly shortly after his 38th year in Rome.
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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