The School of Athens (1509-1511). Fresco by the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael. Pope Julius II, who became pope in 1503, after 11 years of the problematic pontificate of Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia, found The Borgia’s apartments, painted with gold and lapis lazuli, excessively opulent. So, he moved out of the Borgia’s room and he had his architect Bramante built new rooms for him in the Apostolic Palace. To decorate those rooms Bramante recommended the young artist from Urbino, Raphaello. Upon seen the abilities of this young man Georgio Vasari says that “Pope Julius was persuaded to demolish all the scenes painted by the other artists both old and new, so that Raphael alone might be honored before all those who had labored there previously”(G. Vasai Lives of the Artists) Raphael first job was to paint pope’s library, Stanza della Segnature. Together with the help of librarian Tommaso Inghirami (1470-1516) imagined an exceptional cornice for this remarkable pope. They asked themselves this question: What is the essential virtue required of the most powerful man on earth? The renaissance answer to that question was: WISDOM #raphael500 #vaticanmuseums #stanzedirafaello #raphaelrooms #athensschooloffinearts #leonardodavinci #michelangelo #capellasistina #sistinechapel #capillasixtina #artplusexplains #arthistory #arthistorynerd #historiadelarte #rafaello (at Raphael Rooms) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-yDxuenQoi/?igshid=1q252nmkj7ki3