The School of Athens (1/9)

Raphael Sanzio, a paragon of Italian art, painted this fresco around 1510. Although it showcases a scene from a much earlier point in history, the height of Greece’s classical period, this painting fits seamlessly into the Italian Renaissance during which it was created. The word “Renaissance” literally means “rebirth.” This movement saw a shift away from religious themes and a celebration of humanity and human achievement. Each individual is painted with extreme detail and is unique from the next, a trend very indicative of Renaissance humanism. (Image courtesy of janeb13 via pixabay)