User talk:Tobias316
Hints: Figure IDs, School of Athens[edit]
School of Athens figures: Another hint on the figure to the left of Zechariah (slightly right center in yellow robes):
Retracing my steps:
I recognized the image and sinister visage of the figure to the left of Zechariah. And, I noticed the figures, across, glaring at him. The one with folded arms is consistent with John, who appears twice in Disputation of the Holy Sacrament.
What, I confess, I did not tumble to, initially, was the reference to:
"So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver".[17]
That is contained in Zechariah. So, Judas is shown next to Zechariah, who is alleged to have prophesied Judas' betrayal...for 30 pieces of silver.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zechariah_11
So, hopefully you can see how the juxtaposition of the two figures works, to confirm both identities. Yes, Judas. There are sort of templates for some of these figures. Consistent with how he is portrayed in the 'Last Supper' of Leonardo. And no way anyone could possibly understand that if they were trying to cram those figures into some mold of "philosophers".
And since I now know that it is Zechariah, and he must have one, and only one mate that begins with "Z", I can now say with confidence that the astronomer in the lower right corner is Zoroaster, and not Strabo. Ingenious, isn't it? How they designed it? The figures confirm one another.
Now...the next figure, woman with arm raised, name should begin with 'J', according to the 'rules'. Usually, she is depicted holding something in that hand. I found this one to be extremely difficult. If anyone is out there, and needs help, I will check back in periodically.
The figures of Francesca and Paolo that I have already identified, are famous A-dulterers. And stand next to Archimedes.
R to L: 1. Zechariah- 2.(Judas)betrayal- 3.(???) - 4.(Francesca and Paolo)adultery.
(Not entirely sure if the image of Judas is there for the symbolism of an act of betrayal, though. May be just to clue into the next figure).
Tobias316 (talk) 14:46, 20 April 2020 (UTC)Tobias316 (talk) 19:48, 15 May 2020 (UTC)Tobias316 (talk) 13:23, 12 June 2020 (UTC)
Hint/answer for the Cumean Sybil:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rome-Capitole-StatueConstantin.jpg
Yes. The figure, lower left, reading book, is the Emperor Constantine, shown in the process of his conversion. The Cumean Sybil is positioned next, to clue you in. "C".
The Holy Spirit, with hands on his shoulders is imploring him to read. The cherubs are Gemini. (Not Castor and Pollux, though. Apollo and Artemis). "G". Jesus=Gesu, in Italian.
Also in that lower left are Peter, standing, foot on rock, and Paul, seated, writing. NOT PYTHAGORAS. Raphael simply followed the 'template' of how Paul is usually depicted. St. Jerome is peering around to look. Jerome is 'Gerolamo' in Italian.
My personal interpretation is that these figures are arranged to show a connection between the philosophy of the ancients to the evolution of Christianity.
This work was composed as an elaborate riddle. And Raphael had a friend, from Florence, famous for his love of composing riddles. That friend,is depicted, lower left, and also identified in an extremely clever way. "L".
All the citations of academics are not in the least bit helpful if you simply haven't solved the puzzle.
If I am understanding properly,Raphael is comparing himself to Dante. And his friend is his guide, his Virgil.
I guess what utterly amazes me is how generations of art historians have somehow not managed to make the connection of the Divine Comedy to the 'School of Athens'.
There are three panels. Three sections of the Divine Comedy. Dante and Virgil appear twice in Parnassus, with a clear reference to the interaction with Cato in Purgatorio. Virgil is a heathen and cannot continue on into Heaven. But we see Dante, alone, in Disputa twice, so we can safely assume that it relates to Paradiso.
Soooo...what do you think the 'School of Athens' corresponds to?
(There is a region in the Inferno, where non-sinners are confined who cannot gain access to Paradise because they pre-date Jesus. On the edge of Hell. "Limbo'. Dante and Virgil meet famous philosophers of antiquity there).
Tobias316 (talk) 13:27, 13 May 2020 (UTC)Tobias316 (talk) 19:48, 15 May 2020 (UTC)Tobias316 (talk) 15:09, 26 May 2020 (UTC)Tobias316 (talk) 16:27, 13 July 2020 (UTC)