STANZA OF THE SEGNATURA

The first of the Stanze to be painted, from the end of 1508 until 1511, was that of the Segnatura.

When Raphael began the work had to be the library of Julius II, but just ended was destined to the highest court of the church: the Segnatura Gratiae et Iustitiae.

The composition of the frescoes answers Neoplatonic categories of Truth, Beauty and Goodness, which correspond to the frescoes on the four walls.

The Dispute of the Sacrament represents the Theological True; the School of Athens represents the Philosophical True; the Parnassus is the Beauty; the Virtue and Justice represent the Goodness.

Within the tondi, at the relevant wall, are shown: the Theology over the Dispute, the Philosophy over the School of Athens, the Poetry over the Parnassus, the Justice over the Virtues.

>> A BIT IN DEEP

back