With this article I end the in-depth analysis of the School of Athens, the famous fresco, by Raphael, admired by millions of people every year in the Vatican Museums. One more reason, certainly, to come to Rome or, perhaps, take part in a guided tour right here, in one of the so-called Raphael Rooms. After having talked about the two central characters, let's now give an overview of who the young master from Urbino, thanks to the decisive contribution of the scholars in the pay of Pope Julius II, wanted to pay homage to in this fresco, placing him among the great masters of the past!

On the left we see a man in a green robe intent on talking to a general in shining armor: the elderly man is Socrates while the soldier is Alcibiades, a famous Athenian. A crowd of onlookers and disciples crowd around them to better listen to the philosopher's words. Even further to the left there is a certain commotion, since you see some men who are almost kicked out in a bad way, as if they were not worthy of being here, in this space dedicated only to truth and knowledge. They are, probably, the Stoics. Below, still on the left, we notice a man leaning against the base of a column, reading a book. The detail of the crown with bunches of grapes that he wears on his head indicates that the man is probably Epicurus. Among the foundations of his philosophy we also have the concept of how life should be enjoyed, especially if in possession of wealth and material goods. The vine, therefore the wine, refers to Bacchus and the celebrations in his honor. Men of the past who followed Epicurean philosophy were Lucullus and Maecenas, men who enjoyed their social status and wealth at the time of ancient Rome. Moving towards the center there is a man drawing on a book. This is Pythagoras, surrounded by numerous disciples intent on stealing the secrets of the great scholar and mathematician. It almost feels like being at school, and that's no coincidence. Then in the foreground, leaning tiredly on a table and with a listless and bored attitude, we find none other than Michelangelo. Without a shadow of a doubt that is his portrait . Homage to the master? Not really, if we consider how this man is actually the only one to distance himself from everything, with a face that almost shows arrogance. The detail of the orange boots, which almost seem to want to emerge from the fresco, denote how Raphael learned of how, apparently, while working in the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo had not changed his boots for months. A bit of gossip, so to speak, inside a timeless masterpiece like the School of Athens. Going to the right we find an elderly man almost lying on the steps, with his light blue robe. It is probably Diogenes, the cynic par excellence who went so far as to reject any material comfort, so much so that he lived inside a barrel, at least according to tradition. Certainly the face of Diogenes is that of Bramante, who also lends his features to the man who draws on the blackboard. It is Euclid, great geometer. By right Bramante enters the complex of the School of Athens, as it was also thanks to him that Raphael was introduced to the court of pope Julius II. Finally, among astronomers and other various masters, at the bottom on the right we find two figures. The first, tall and slender with a white dress, is Sodoma who, perhaps more than others, collaborated with Raphael. But then, right behind him, here is Raphael's self-portrait! A kid compared to the others, around 26-27 years old. The only one, however, who seems to look directly at the observer, aware, perhaps, of how he too, after all, does not look completely out of place in that fantastic space, and symbol of knowledge and wisdom, which he has masterfully created.

Here, therefore, in a few words is the description of what is one of the most famous frescoes of the Vatican Museums and of the Renaissance in general. The spatial composition, the figures, the ethical and philosophical motivations contribute to making this masterpiece certainly unique and worthy of being seen, and contemplated, at least once in a lifetime. As written at the beginning of this article, one more reason to come here to Rome.