Raphael’s School of Athens

Writer and Director: Howard Burton

When it comes to precocious talent, the Italian Renaissance can boast some stellar examples. Securing a once-in-a-lifetime commission in his mid-twenties, Raphael’s rise to the top of Rome’s art scene was not only anchored in his immense skill, but his encyclopaedic knowledge of art and architecture helped him edge out his competitors. In their new documentary, Ideas Roadshow profile the Italian-born painter, looking at his1508 fresco, the School of Athens.

In what can be described as the ultimate episode of Interior Design Masters, Raphael was summoned to Rome, competing with other artists, to overhaul and decorate the papal apartments of Pope Julius II. The Pope was well-informed when it came to art; famously inviting the then-sculptor Michelangelo to paint a ceiling for him. In the Sistine Chapel. As the documentary notes, Julius’ trade may have been with the divine, but he had good instincts for what made great art. He understood the power of story-telling to communicate the influence of the Church.

Raphael impressed, got the job, and set to work in the ‘signing room’ where Julius kept his collection of books. The brief was to represent the 16^th century trend of Renaissance humanism: bringing together the achievements of ancient Greek thought with a contemporary interest in theology.

The heart of the film looks at the fresco itself, breaking down the painting’s complex and intimidating images, stuffed full of symbolism and archaic references. There is a noticeable blending of the spiritual and the secular. Seated and standing in a classical landscape, a group of philosophers are depicted en masse. With some identifiable figures and others left ambiguous, we have Plato and Aristotle as central, unifying characters, plus cameos from a pugnacious, rambling Socrates to Pythagoras crouched in the corner, scribbling away. Allegory plays a huge part in this piece, and Raphael’s interest in architecture translates into metaphor as the magnificent, sculptural arches behind the philosophers tease a glorious, heavenly view. The implication is that we can see human achievement clearly, but when it comes to faith, we cannot even comprehend its true scale.

While there is a dizzying wealth of information in this documentary, the film lets you find your level. Those of us with a low Maths IQ may struggle with the Pythagoras section, but there’s room for fun, as the documentary points out Raphael’s love of visual quotations: Plato is a dead ringer for Leonardo da Vinci, and a half-kneeling figure with long hair is used for the cover of Guns ‘n’ Roses’ Use Your Illusion album. No-one is left behind.

It is this combination of complex detail and user-friendly elements that makes the series unique. You appreciate how Raphael’s world shaped his art. There was more at stake than just pleasing a patron: it was about representing a moment. Our attention is purposely steered towards the eclectic array of thinkers, quietly suggesting how religion would shift as priorities changed. The scene before us is deliberately crowded: Raphael urges us to take in more than just the view.

Raphael’s School of Athens is released on 24 April 2025.