The painting of the School of Athens painted by Raphael looks like a scene you would see around any college classroom. It was created to look like the viewer can walk straight into the painting and become a part of the great discussions and debates 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 represented. Most importantly, it contrasts the themes of the ethereal with the corporeal, showing a great debate between some of the brightest minds. 

The first thing the eye is drawn to in the painting is the direct center which features two men deep in conversation, appearing to walk towards the viewer. These men are the main subject of the painting as they are the only men the viewer has a completely clear view of and whose bodies are completely straight forward. Raphael leaves the bottom center of the painting clear almost as a path for the two main subjects but it also draws a line for the eye straight to the men. 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. The man on the left is wearing brightly colored clothing, a reddish pink and purple garment. 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. 

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 and God while the man on the right is focused on the physical works of the Earth rather than the heavenly. 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 the man on the left is wearing almost give a sense of weightlessness and floating while the darker colors of the man on the right give a sense of being grounded. Another illustration that the men represent ideas concerning the heavens and the earth is that the man on the left is not wearing shoes and seems to be standing on his toes, again giving a sense of weightlessness and an almost angelic quality while the man on the right is 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 their corresponding side seems to be affiliated with the main subject’s idea representing 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 the Greek god 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 side 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 and seems to be concentrated on something other than reality. He looks lost in another world. Far to the left, a man is writing in a book which is held up by a small chubby baby. The baby is out of place in a painting of great philosophers and developed minds. When looking at art from the renaissance, cherubs are commonly depicted in religious art. This baby may be a cherub reflecting the ideas of heaven. 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 the movement of the Earth. 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 physical concepts that involve the Earth. The right side embodies the physical side of the earth much like the main subjects on the left embody the ethereal.

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