
The painting of the School of Athens painted by Raphael looks like something you would see around any college campus. The space throughout the painting is very particular, painted like the viewer can walk straight into the painting and become a part of the great discussions taking place. Although it is reminiscent of college students discussing theories, ideas and projects it truly depicts some of the greatest philosophers from ancient Greece and the theories they created. Most importantly, it contrasts the themes of the ethereal with the corporeal. 

The first thing the eye is drawn to in the painting is the direct center, which features two men seemingly deep in conversation walking towards the viewer. These men are the main subject of the painting as they are the only ones whose bodies are completely straightforward and the only ones the viewer has a completely clear view of. Raphael leaves the bottom center of the painting clear almost as a path to the two main subjects, almost drawing a line for the eye The man on the left is wearing brightly colored clothing, reddish pink and purple. The man on the right is wearing more subdued tones, an earthy green-brown and blue garment. Both men are pointing, but each in a different direction. The man on the left is pointing towards the sky, while the man on the right is holding his hand out, seeming to motion downwards. As this painting was created during the renaissance and the title is School of Athens, these men were most likely philosophers or great thinkers of their time.

Based on the apparel of the two men and the gestures they are making, the men are discussing opposing ideologies. The man on the left seems to be concerned with that of the heavens, astronomy or and most importantly God while the man on the right is focused on the physical works of the Earth. Their clothing supports this as red and purple are colors featured in the sky during a sunset or sunrise, while the muddy green and blue are colors that are featured on the earth. The red and purple of the man on the left almost give a sense of weightlessness and floating while the darker colors give a sense of groundedness. Another example that the men represent ideas about the heavens and the earth is that the man on the left is not wearing shoes and seems to be standing on his toes, giving a sense of weightlessness and him gliding while the man on the right is obviously wearing sandals and has both feet planted firmly on the earth. 

The painting seems to be divided into half between these two men. Everything on each corresponding side seems to be affiliated with the main subject’s idea either the heaven or the earth. On each side there is a large statue that takes up a major portion of the painting. On the left is Apollo, identifiable with his invention of the lyre. Apollo is associated with the heavens as he is the god that flies a chariot which drags the sun across the sky. On the right is the goddess Athena, holding a large staff and a shield with the head of Medusa. As the goddess of war, her main focus would be on what happens on the earth and the affairs of men. 

Surrounding the two main philosophers on either sides are groups of other men, presumably other philosophers. Again, each side seems to be supporting the main idea of ethereal versus corporeal. On the left side, a man sits near the center of the painting at a desk looking forlorn with his head resting on his hand in contemplation. This man seems unconcerned with the people around him, but seems more concentrated on something other than reality lost in another world. Far to the left, a man is writing with a small baby holding the book for him. The baby is out of place in a painting of great philosophers and developed minds. When looking at religious art from the renaissance cherubs are common, and this fits in with otherworldly theories from these philosophers. 

On the right side a large group of men are crowded in the forefront of the painting. A man with his back turned is holding what seems to be a globe. Right behind him a man holds a sphere that depicts stars or planets. Together, these men might be discussing how the earth moves through the sky. Crouched down to left of these men, a philosopher is using a compass to draw shapes onto a board. Based on the men he is near his theories may concern the paths of the planets. If his work has nothing to do with planetary movements, it may be concerned with something highly ordered such as architecture. Either way his work has to do with physical geometric shapes, measured and precise. Together as a group it is clear that these men are discussing the corporeal. The right side embodies the physical side of the earth much like the main subject on the right.

School of Athens at first glance is a painting of all the great Greek philosophers in one place discussing their most important works. Based on the main subjects of the painting and how the painting seems to be divided between these two subjects it truly contrasts the themes of theories of the heavens and ethereal and those of the physical. 