why is the school of athens a masterpiece?

Answer 1

Well it was painted by Raphael Santi who died quite young and never truly reached his full potential as an artist. If the fresco of The School of Athens is anything to go by then he was already well on his way to greatness. This fresco is very complicated with many figures, superb perspective and shows a clear organization of the composition and the avoidance of excessive detail . Also, there is a figure in the forefront of the piece which probably represents Raphael's fellow artist, Michelangelo. This figure was added after the rest of the work was completed which is an immensely skilled and complicated task. It shows what a master Raphael already was.

Answer 2

While everybody is correct about the skill of the painting, it is an excellent example of several departures from medevil art that typify Renaissance art.
A) Perspective. Figures in the distance look small, people up close look big. In medevil art, people that were more important (Christ, kings, prophets, etc.) were bigger and you had little idea where peole or things were.
B) Light. Shadows and light are portrayed much more realistically. The artist takes care to show where the sun is coming in from.
C) Color. It is now thought that artists of the Renaissance use much brighter and interesting colors than thier forerunners.
D) Characterization. Like Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper" fresco, the characters of "School of Athens" are easily recognized by their expressions and items they hold. Not so in Medevil art.
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The School of Athens portrays Plato, Aristotle, and other ancient philosophers engaged in philosophic inquiry. It also has spectacular architural detail and colors. If you study it, it is "busy" with Athenian life and culture. It was painted by Raffaello Sanzio AKA: Raphael, a master.

Answer 4

I'm not sure, but I do know they are "Famous" for alot of things!! Maybe, its stemmed from all the "Greek Gods", or the fact that they've been around as long, or longer than England..Wish, I could be of more assistance... Good-Luck!