Who are the people in Disputation of the Eucharist?

Question

Attention Art and Religion afficionados! I need your help. I just purchased a beautiful canvas of Raphael's "Disputation of the Eucharist". I wanted to know who is in the painting and I can't find much on it when I "Google it". I know there is of course the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I see Mary, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, perhaps King David, but I can't identify anyone else! If anyone can give me any information on this magnificent piece of art, I would be grateful!

Answer 1

Here are some websites which identify at least some of the persons depicted:
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio.jsp?id=40581&eng=y

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disputation_of_the_Holy_Sacrament

http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/x-Select/20select/20select_05.html

And this article links "La disputa" with its pendant on the opposite wall, "The School of Athens":
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-17846051.html

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Disputation Of The Eucharist

Answer 3

Beside the three persons of the Trinity, Mary and Saint John I recognize Plato by the altar raising his hand like in Rafael's fresco of the School of Athens and Aristotle in the forefront to the left of the altar with his right hand pointing down. Then on the right in the midst of the croud there is Dante Alighieri with the red cloak on with the laurel leaves on his head. He is behind the bishop.

Answer 4

Most of the people you are seeing in the painting are actually Theologians of Rafael's adult days; and I don't believe he wanted anyone other than Mary and John the Baptist to be recognized as such; and Christ of course.

You are right it is one of the mature Rafael's most magnificent works of art and all the more so because it was hidden for so many years and never touched.

over 400 years in the dark ...