This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

Vatican Frescoes

Vatican Frescoes

AFTER MARCANTONIO RAIMONDI (C. 1480-1534)

Philosophy

after 1515

Engraving | 16.9 x 14.3 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 852580

An anonymous reversed copy of an engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi (RCIN 852579), thought to derive from a lost design by Raphael related to 'Philosophy', the bas-relief grisaille painted under the niched statue of Minerva on the right side of 'The School of Athens'.

A drawing in the Uffizi, Florence (inv. no.514 E) is believed to be a copy after the lost original by Raphael. A photograph of the drawing can be found at RCIN 852577. Raphael further represented the subject of 'Philosophy' in a roundel on the ceiling above the School of Athens.
  • Creator(s)

    After Marcantonio Raimondi (c. 1480-1534) (engraver)

    After Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520) (artist)

  • 16.9 x 14.3 cm (sheet of paper)

  • Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)

  • Subject(s)
    • Philosophy & Psychology
  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    p.42, under no.VI.3 (entry by Stefania Massari) (Raphael Invenit 1985 : Bernini Pezzini, G. et al., 1985. Raphael Invenit. Stampe di Raffaello nelle Collezioni dell'Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica, Rome)